“This is a piece of white paper with no shape. But all shapes can be born from it.” This is what Mei Zongting, a 36-year-old paper folding artisan, often said. Paper can be folded in concave or convex shapes, which then will grow into countless different configurations. In the eyes of these artisans, a piece of paper means everything.

Mei Zongting, a 36-year-old paper folding artisan

On the afternoon of December 31, Mei was at his home in Ranjiaba, Yubei District. He quickly created a cute rat with a piece of paper to celebrate the upcoming Year of Rat.

Mei Zongting creates a cute rat with a piece of paper to celebrate the upcoming Year of Rat.

No matter it is a panda, a sheep, or a polar bear, every piece of work is the result of time and effort and therefore is priceless.

The Art of Rhombus is Mei’s favorite work, which was inspired by the rhombic eyes of the figures found in the Sanxingdui Site.

“Paper folding is about practice, which is to be absorbed into muscle memory," said Mei. "Akira Yoshizawa, a Japanese origamist considered to be the grandmaster of origami, created over 25,000 different origami models. Paper folding is amazing for a small change that will make a huge difference.” Mei demonstrated an elaborate three-dimensional model and said capable abstract thinking was needed to make such work.

Since paper determines the quality of work, Mei is meticulous in comparing texture, hardness, and forms of paper. He thought it was necessary to slow down and made something everlasting in this rapidly developing era.