Calligraphy in seal script

The calligraphy is written in seal script and reads 'qixiang wanqian' (Nature abounds in changes). It is followed by an inscription in running script, that reads: 'The four-character 'qixiang wanqian' is painted at the request of GE Peng (Edmund Capon). [inscribed by] Miaozi in the year of 'jisi' (1989). The inscription is followed by the calligrapher's personal seal (Huang Miaozi). There is another seal at the top right corner, which reads, 'lairishi' (Studio of the days to come).

Huang Miaozi, a native of Zhongshan in Guangdong, has been active since the late 30s as an editor and art critic, and has published widely on Chinese painting and calligraphy. He is also a well known calligrapher, and currently holds a position in the committee of the National Calligraphy Society. He has been admired for his innovative approach amongst the classical calligraphers in modern China, for the shaping of his characters. He often takes one of the ancient forms of script that were originally cast on bronzes or carved stone and then rewrites them with a brush in, say, seal script, which gives them an unexpected liveliness.

Asian Art Department, AGNSW, October 2006.