Lee Huan-Chang

Lee Huan-Chang was born in Linyi, Shandong Province in 1925. As a child, he was exposed to and developed a keen interest in paper-cutting. Upon arriving in Taiwan later in life, Lee relieved his homesickness by picking up a pair of scissors and cutting out patterns, solely based on childhood memories. 

Lee had studied paper-cutting for over half a century. Not only was he passionate about the art of paper-cutting throughout his life, it also served as an integral part of his spiritual life. He believed in the power of a pair of scissors and fluent cutting methods, bringing a seemingly ordinary piece of paper to life. Therefore, he continued to promote the legacy of paper-cutting through teaching. His students came from all over the world, including the United States, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, etc. He hoped that paper-cutting can enrich the lives of many and allow even more people to recognize the beauty of paper-cutting. In order to cope with humidity, he even tried to use damask in his works. Applying techniques such as dyeing and paper coloring, he broke away from the traditional monotone style, presenting a colorful effect with both Eastern and Western elements.

Lee was one of the most renowned paper-cutting masters in Taiwan. In 1991, he was awarded a national award in traditional paper-cutting. In 2014, he was designated as an important traditional paper-cutting preserver.

1925

Born in Zhuchen Town, Linyi County, Shandong Province

1947

Admitted to Linyi County School, Shandong Province

1954

Arrived in Taiwan and served in the army in Chenggongling. Visited several places

1959

Studied at the Normal School of Yuanyuanshi Township Experimental Middle School, Changhua County

1984

First Exhibition at National Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall Plaza, Taipei, Taiwan

1985

“Art Seasons” Paper-cut Exhibition, Taipei, Taiwan

1986

Taipei Residents Monthly Paper-cut Exhibition, Taipei, Taiwan

1987

Paper-cut Exhibition, Seoul, South Korea

1989

“New Year River Hongbao” Exhibition, Singapore

1990

“Lee Huan-Chang Paper-cut Art Exhibition”, Art Gallery of the Ministry of Culture, Taipei, Taiwan

1991

Won the “National Art Inheritance Award” in the Traditional Crafts Category of the Ministry of Educational Paper-Cutting

1995

“A Grand Event of Historic Sites” Exhibition, Taipei, Taiwan

2006

Sino-Japanese Joint Paper-cut Exhibition, National Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall, Taipei, Taiwan

2008

“New Art of Paper-cut”, Learning Cultural and Creative Foundation, Taipei, Taiwan

Solo Exhibition of Paper-cut Works, Taoyuan International Airport, Taoyuan, Taiwan

2009

Solo Exhibition of Paper-cut Works, National Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall, Taipei, Taiwan

2010

Solo Exhibition of Selected Paper-cut Works, National Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall, Taipei, Taiwan

2013

“Cutting Spring Flowers to Welcome the New Year – Lee Huan-Chang Paper-cut Exhibition”, Banqiao District 435 Arts and Cultural Special Zone, New Taipei City, Taiwan

2014

Acknowledged by the Ministry of Culture as the “Preserver of the Important Traditional Art, Paper-Cutting”

New Taipei City’s First Art Education Contribution Award – “Lifetime Achievement Award”

2015

Honoured with “National Treasure on Earth” by the Ministry of Culture

2018

“Group Exhibition on Damask Silk Paper-cutting Art by Master Lee Huan-Chang & his Apprentice”, National Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall, Taipei, Taiwan

2021

“Group Exhibition on Damask Silk Paper-cutting Art by Master Lee Huan-Chang & his Apprentice”, National Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall, Taipei, Taiwan