Paper-cutting works from Ye Kaiyuan. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The idea for his work called A Picture of Two Fish came when he saw salted fish at a store. Other inspirations come from his observation of things such as fruit and visits to various places.

The creative process is slow. It took Ye two weeks to draw and make Farewell My Concubine. He did not cut two of the characters in this story; instead, he used flowers and curves to represent the heroine of the story.

Cutting paper is like living life, abandoning fear and hesitation and being transparent, Ye said.