The Artistic Language of Black and White Woodcut Prints: Representing Sichuan Ethnic Minorities

Background and Aim: Sichuan minority subject prints have evolved in the course of history, with diversified development in the choice of subject matter and the styles and techniques presented in the works. By investigating how the artistic techniques of Sichuan minority subject prints reflect and convey cultural identity, this study provides a source of inspiration for contemporary Chinese printmaking art and promotes the innovation of ethnic art. Materials and Methods: This study adopts a mixed research method, with qualitative research as the main focus and quantitative research as a supplement. In the qualitative research, methods such as literature review, field survey, and creative practice are used to explore the creative history of Sichuan minority printmaking. In the quantitative research, the researchers use content analysis to explore the significance of their woodcut works as a guide to the creation of contemporary printmaking art. Results: The results of the study show that through artistic practice, the unique artistic techniques of Sichuan minority printmaking, such as knife language, black and white composition, and imprint expression, are studied to further reveal the uniqueness of printmaking in artistic expression, and to demonstrate the beauty and significance of the thematic prints of the Sichuan minority. Conclusion: This study contributes to promoting awareness and understanding of ethnic cultures, reveals the internal logic in the creation of prints by ethnic minorities in Sichuan, and provides insights and inspiration for the creation of contemporary printmaking art in China. It also influences cultural policy, emphasizing the importance of supporting and funding the arts, and protecting and promoting ethnic minority culture and arts.