Episode 1 of 2: Asia Miles x HK Paper Art Hero 「亞洲萬里通」x 香港撕藝大師 (上集)

This Chinese New Year, Asia Miles has collaborated with renowned Hong Kong paper tearing artist, Uncle Man, to create some truly unique auspicious messages.

By featuring the classical Chinese art form of paper tearing using online platforms like Facebook and YouTube, we hope to spread prosperity and share Uncle Man's story and talent as far as the digital world can take it.

Be sure to come back to watch Episode 2 in the series!

Paper tearing is a traditional Chinese folk art, where special characters, pictures or shapes are torn from one single piece of paper. Unlike paper cutting, which uses scissors or knives, paper tearing is done without the use of any tools.

Uncle Man (Lee Shing Man) is hailed as "The King of Paper Crafts" in Hong Kong. Without any formal training, he creates his detailed artwork through observation, imagination and 30 years of experience. As an artist who cares about environmental issues, Uncle Man prides himself on using recycled paper to demonstrate his artwork. And as an unofficial Ambassador to Kowloon Walled City Park, visitors can find him giving tours and sharing his stories within the park almost every day. With his unique talent and warm personality, it's no surprise that he is frequently interviewed by local and overseas press, while his following continues to grow every day.

今年新春，「亞洲萬里通」與香港撕藝大師敏叔攜手合作，呈獻別具匠心的賀年揮春。

我們希望透過Facebook及YouTube等網上平台，以數碼形式傳揚中國傳統撕紙藝術，同時分享新年祝福及敏叔的精湛工藝和精彩故事。

我們稍後推出本系列的下集，請密切留意！

撕紙藝術(撕藝) 是中國民間流傳已久的平面鏤空工藝 。有別於一般剪紙藝術，撕藝不需要草稿及任何工具，創作者只需要紙張及雙手就能撕出各式文字或栩栩如生的圖案。透過不同紋理及顏色的紙張，更可呈現層出不窮的藝術風格。

香港撕藝界的代表人物——敏叔，全名李昇敏，無師自通研究撕藝已逾三十年，善用優秀的觀察力及空間感，擅長憑想像構圖，手起紙落撕出令人讚嘆的作品。重視環境保育的敏叔，更支持善用每張新舊紙張，並身體力行以廢紙製作出色作品。

在日常生活中，這位撕藝大師身兼九龍寨城公園的義工，為遊客擔當義務嚮導講解公園的詳細歷史，一直熱心傳揚中華文化。除熱衷文化保育，敏叔亦常獲邀到教育及社會機構授課表演，近年來更多次接受電視台、本地及海外報章的訪問，其超卓工藝備受各界讚賞。