Ge Hai (center) and students participate in a traditional culture exhibition at school

Ge Hai displays his artwork “Portrait of Guan Yu”

Ge Hai instructs students in their creative process

With just a piece of red paper, an engraving knife, and a pair of scissors, delicate flakes fall like snowflakes as fingers dance skillfully. In no time, a lifelike Yellow Crane Tower emerges before the students’ eyes. This magical craftsmanship comes from Ge Hai, who was born with a congenital foot disability.

Ge Hai is an inheritor of Wuhan paper-cutting, a national intangible cultural heritage, and the head of the “Ge Hai Paper-Cutting Research Studio” under the Wuhan Disabled Persons’ Federation. Since 2016, he has volunteered as a special education paper-cutting teacher at Wuhan First School for the Deaf, patiently and compassionately opening a door to this traditional craft for deaf students. Under his guidance, over 120 students have not only mastered paper-cutting skills but have also been deeply inspired by his optimistic spirit.

Fate once left an indelible mark on young Ge Hai, but with his engraving knife, he carved his own brilliant life story on red paper.

Breaking the Rules

From Self-Taught to Master

Born in 1977 into an ordinary working-class family in Wuhan, Ge Hai was diagnosed with a third-degree physical disability due to congenital limb impairment. Yet his parents’ encouragement—”Your heart can be more skillful than anyone else’s”—ignited his passion for art. In fifth grade, his parents scrimped to afford his sketch lessons at Wuhan Youth Palace, setting aside 50 yuan from their 200-yuan monthly income. Even in freezing winters, he persevered, warming his stiff hands before continuing to draw. Over four years, he wore down countless pencils and filled stacks of sketch paper, never wavering in his dedication to art.

In 1993, when his father passed away from a sudden brain tumor, 16-year-old Ge Hai had to drop out of school. He learned screen-printing and engraving from his father’s colleagues before moving to Nanjing at 17 to study glassmaking with his great-aunt. By day, he hauled glass despite his disability; by night, he practiced copying traditional paper-cut designs on old newspapers in the warehouse. Returning to Wuhan at 19, he worked at a clothing company but never abandoned his love for paper-cutting.

In 1998, Ge Hai attended the Hubei Paper-Cutting Association’s annual meeting with a portfolio of self-taught works. The association’s president, Liu Shibiao, was stunned: “Did you carve these? The technique and composition are too refined for a self-taught artist!” After confirming, Liu admitted Ge Hai as the youngest member, taking him under his wing.

Under mentorship, Ge Hai systematically studied traditional paper-cutting techniques, later blending Hubei and Wuhan styles into his own diverse, life-inspired creations. In 2003, he invented a multi-functional engraving knife and a wax carving board that stays pliable year-round. By 2010, he earned the title “Hubei Renowned Paper-Cutting Artist,” and in 2018, his month-long masterpiece “Portrait of Guan Yu” won top honors for its intricate craftsmanship.

Silent Blooms

A Knife Bridges Hearts

In 2015, Wuhan First School for the Deaf approached Ge Hai: “Our students want to learn paper-cutting, but regular teachers can’t guide them. Will you help?” He agreed immediately, but his first class left him nervous—20 silent children watched as a sign language interpreter introduced him.

“I stood frozen, unsure how to begin,” Ge Hai recalled. “Then I realized: if they can’t hear, I’ll speak through action.” He carved a simple flower, then gestured for a student to try. A girl hesitantly made uneven cuts, and Ge Hai gave a thumbs-up in sign language: “Great job!” Her radiant smile marked his first triumph.

Tailoring lessons, he taught zodiac designs to younger students and Peking Opera masks to older ones. Collaborating on complex pieces, they revived historical patterns, embodying his mantra: “Breathe life into tradition.” To simplify learning, he adapted six-fold symmetry instead of three-fold, avoiding tricky cutouts while boosting confidence.

Since 2016, students have created themed series—56 Ethnic Groups, WWII History, Military Games, and “Staying True to Our Mission”—blending culture, pride, and current events.

Star pupil Liu Sijia, fluent in sign language, assists classmates. When she struggled with “Thousand-Hand Guanyin,” Ge

Portrait of Guan Yu

The *Portrait of Guan Yu* is a traditional Chinese depiction of Guan Yu, a revered general from the Three Kingdoms period (220–280 AD) who was later deified as a god of loyalty, righteousness, and war. Often portrayed with a red face, a long beard, and a *Green Dragon Crescent Blade*, his image symbolizes honor and martial virtue in Chinese culture. Temples and artworks featuring Guan Yu are common in China and among overseas Chinese communities, reflecting his enduring legacy in both history and folklore.

Yellow Crane Tower

The Yellow Crane Tower, located in Wuhan, China, is a famous historical tower with over 1,700 years of history, first built during the Three Kingdoms period (220–280 CE). Renowned for its cultural significance, it has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times, with the current structure dating to 1985. The tower is celebrated in Chinese poetry and folklore, symbolizing longevity and spiritual elevation.

Wuhan Youth Palace

The Wuhan Youth Palace is a cultural and educational center established in 1954 to promote extracurricular activities and skill development for young people. Located in Wuhan, Hubei Province, it offers programs in arts, sports, and technology, reflecting China’s emphasis on youth development. Over the decades, it has served as a key institution fostering creativity and learning among the city’s younger generations.

Hubei Paper-Cutting Association

The Hubei Paper-Cutting Association is a cultural organization in China’s Hubei Province dedicated to preserving and promoting the traditional art of paper-cutting, a UNESCO-recognized intangible cultural heritage. Established to support local artisans, the association fosters innovation while honoring the craft’s ancient roots, which date back over 1,500 years in Chinese folk art. It organizes exhibitions, workshops, and exchanges to sustain this intricate art form for future generations.

Wuhan First School for the Deaf

The Wuhan First School for the Deaf is a specialized educational institution in Wuhan, China, dedicated to providing education and support for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. Established to promote inclusive education, it offers tailored programs to help students develop communication skills, academic knowledge, and vocational training. While its exact founding date is unclear, it reflects China’s broader efforts to improve accessibility and opportunities for the deaf community.

Ge Hai Paper-Cutting Research Studio

The Ge Hai Paper-Cutting Research Studio is a cultural institution dedicated to preserving and promoting the traditional Chinese art of paper-cutting, a UNESCO-recognized intangible cultural heritage. Founded by master artisan Ge Hai, the studio researches, teaches, and exhibits intricate paper-cut designs, often reflecting regional folklore and historical themes. It plays a key role in keeping this ancient craft alive through workshops and collaborations with contemporary artists.

Peking Opera masks

Peking Opera masks, used in Beijing Opera (Jingju), are vibrant, symbolic face paintings that represent characters’ personalities, traits, and moral alignments. Originating in the 18th century during the Qing Dynasty, these masks employ specific colors and patterns—like red for loyalty and white for treachery—to convey roles such as heroes, villains, or deities. This art form blends Chinese cultural traditions, folklore, and theatrical expression.

Thousand-Hand Guanyin

The *Thousand-Hand Guanyin* is a renowned Chinese Buddhist dance performance inspired by the bodhisattva of compassion, Guanyin, who is often depicted with multiple arms to symbolize her boundless mercy. The modern stage adaptation, famously performed by China Disabled People’s Performing Art Troupe, gained global acclaim for its intricate choreography and moving portrayal of unity and grace. Rooted in Buddhist tradition, the performance reflects Guanyin’s role as a compassionate savior and has become a cultural symbol of harmony and resilience.