College students and pupils from Nantong join hands to complete paper tearing works, commemorating the upcoming centenary of the founding of the CPC. [Photo/ntfabu.com]

To celebrate the centenary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, a special exhibition of the art of paper tearing – with examples showcasing the achievements of the CPC – was held on June 8 at Nantong University, in the Chongchuan district of Nantong city, East China's Jiangsu province.

Paper tearing is said to be the oldest form of paper art – other forms including paper cutting and paper carving. Using just their hands, its masters can tear a piece of paper into mountains, flowers, people, animals, fish and insects within seconds. Creating more complicated patterns requires a lot of practice and years of experience.

At the exhibition, a 100-meter-long paper tearing scroll work created by Zhai Tianlin – a teacher at the School of Art at Nantong University – was the biggest highlight. It vividly displayed the figures and events of great historical significance in the 100-year history of the Party, through the language of art.

Paper tearing is an exquisite hand-made artform. Exponents don't have to draw a draft and use an instrument. At present, there are less than 50 paper tearing inheritors in China and less than 10 abroad.

"It is easier for the young to understand red culture by integrating it into the intangible cultural heritage of paper tearing," Zhai said.

Zhai also spent one year instructing 100 students at Nantong University to create 100 works, to show the struggles of the people led by the CPC over the past century.

Pupils from Nantong Zilang No 1 Primary School participated in the event. Under the guidance of college students, they completed the works to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC.