Artyzen Hospitality GroupArtyzen Hospitality Group26 October 2025
In an era marked by the gathering pace of urban life, the time-honoured warmth of intangible cultural heritage crafts serves as a vital and heartfelt connection to our cultural roots. Marking the golden autumn season, Artyzen Habitat Qiantan Shanghai presents the second edition of「Artyzen Studio」series: “The Art of Paper Cutting: A Dialogue with Culture”. Featuring master artist Wang Jianzhong, an inheritor of intangible cultural heritage for paper cutting, the event offers guests an immersive journey into the unique charm of Shanghai-style paper art.
Artyzen Hospitality Group, driven by its Asian-rooted philosophy of “Emotional Wisdom,” creates exceptional bespoke experiences for travellers. This commitment is articulated in the “Artyzen 3C” framework: Connect with communities, show Care through artisanal craftsmanship, and Celebrate local culture with creativity. 「Artyzen Studio」 serves as a dynamic platform dedicated to this mission, bringing together masters and artisans to spark creative dialogue, ensure cultural sustainability, and enable collaborative community development.
Mr. Sunny Li, Vice President, China of Artyzen Hospitality Group, shared: “Our collaboration with Master Wang Jianzhong, an inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage paper-cutting art, goes beyond showcasing heritage art; it’s a practical application of our ‘Emotional Wisdom’ ethos. This event is designed as a tangible connection between contemporary life and traditional culture, allowing guests to connect with this centuries-old artistry through the art of paper cutting and take home cherished emotional memories.”
Mr. Tony Shen, General Manager of Artyzen Habitat Qiantan Shanghai and The Shàng by Artyzen Qiantan Shanghai, elaborated: “We are dedicated to curating a platform that fosters community cultural development – one that offers more than just a comfortable stay, but also cultivate a creative platform for meaningful and substantial exchange. Master Wang Jianzhong’s art narrates our cultural stories through paper cutting. By engaging guests in this creative process, we transform the hotel into a dynamic space where tradition meets innovation, fostering deeper connections between people, and between people and culture.”
This edition of「Artyzen Studio」presents Master Wang Jianzhong, the second-generation successor of “Wang’s Shanghai-Style Paper-Cutting” art, who will guide our guests in exploring the captivating world of paper-cutting art. Trained from childhood by his father, Wang Zigan, the esteemed National Master of Arts and Crafts, he skillfully blends traditional techniques with the essence of Shanghai-style culture, establishing a distinctive and celebrated tradition.
Master Wang Jianzhong’s achievements are a testament to his dedication. In 2005, he was awarded the title of “Master of Arts and Crafts” by the Shanghai Municipal Government. In 2007, he received the honor of “Outstanding Inheritor of Chinese Folk Culture” jointly issued by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the Chinese Folk Artists Association. In 2008, he became one of Shanghai’s first “Representative Inheritors of Intangible Cultural Heritage”. In 2012, the Shanghai Federation of Literary and Art Circles published a biography titled “Master of the Scissors: The Extraordinary Story of Wang Jianzhong,” documenting his profound bond with Shanghai-style paper-cutting art.
Over the past century, “Wang-style Shanghai-style paper cutting” has continued to thrive through the dedication of two generations of masters. Master Wang Jianzhong’s works preserve the exquisite delicacy of traditional paper-cutting while embracing the openness of Shanghai-style culture. Whether depicting vibrant natural scenes or the lively hustle and bustle of everyday life, his scissors infused each subject with spirited vitality. He has frequently accompanied government delegations abroad, performing his craft on the global stage and turning Shanghai-style paper-cutting art to the world and making it a brilliant and enduring symbol of Chinese cultural exchange.
The event featured a live demonstration and workshop by Master Wang Jianzhong, who brought the art to life—from the precise handling of scissors to the stories behind each motif. He reflected: “Paper-cutting is more than a skill; it is an expression of emotion. I am delighted to collaborate with Artyzen Hospitality Group to bring this tradition into a modern lifestyle space. Seeing so many young people genuinely engaged, their joy evident as they worked with scissors and paper, I feel a sense of vitality and am deeply moved by witnessing our living heritage thrive. This is how it endures: through shared emotion and dialogue across generations.”
Under the thoughtful curation of Artyzen Habitat Qiantan Shanghai, the event bridged tradition and modernity, allowing Shanghai-style paper-cutting to shine with new vitality. As scissors met paper, a dialogue between past and present brought this intangible heritage to life, ensuring its memory is passed down through generations.
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