Low Cheong Sin: Seal Carving Exchange Celebration and Art Talk

In conjunction with Nanyang Impression: Malaysia Seal Carving Association Member Excellent Works Exhibition, organised in collaboration with Soka Gakkai Malaysia (SGM), the SGM Cultural Centre hosted a lecture and demonstration on 24 September 2023 titled Malaysia Seal Carving Exchange Celebration and Art Talk . The talk was led by Dr. Low Cheong Sin, President of the Seal Carving Association of Malaysia, whose work has contributed significantly to the promotion of seal carving through exhibitions, talks and scholarly initiatives.

Tracing the historical development of Chinese seal carving, Dr. Low examined how seals evolved from practical instruments of governance into an independent artistic discipline. Beginning with the seal systems of the Qin and Han dynasties, he explored their role as markers of identity and authority, while highlighting their value as historical evidence for the study of administrative systems, the evolution of Chinese script and broader cultural history. Through examples of Qin and Han seals and related artefacts, participants were introduced to the close relationship between seal carving, calligraphy and the development of written forms. Dr. Low proposed that beyond the well-known concept of the shared origins of painting and calligraphy, seal carving may likewise be understood as sharing the same aesthetic foundations as calligraphy through its engagement with the structure and visual expression of Chinese characters.

The talk also examined the transformation of seals from official instruments into a medium of scholarly expression. While seal usage became increasingly standardised from the Han dynasty onwards, the Tang and Song dynasties saw scholars incorporate seals into painting, calligraphy and collecting practices. By the Ming and Qing dynasties, the widespread use of seal stones and the rise of literati seal carving established the medium as a distinct art form. Dr. Low discussed the enduring influence of Qin and Han dynasties’s seals as models for later practitioners before introducing the contributions of major seal carvers including DengShirú, WuRangzhi, ZhaoZhiqian, WuChangshuo and QiBaishi, whose innovations in script, knife technique, composition and personal expression shaped the development of modern seal carving.

Emphasising that seal carving extends beyond the act of engraving characters, Dr. Low described the practice as a careful negotiation of form, space and rhythm within a highly constrained surface. The arrangement of characters, the movement of the knife and the balance between solid and empty space collectively determine the artistic character of a seal, demonstrating how technical skill and aesthetic judgement are inseparable in the creative process.

The second half of the programme featured a live demonstration, offering participants an opportunity to observe each stage of the carving process—from selecting and composing the inscription to carving, refining the surface and producing the final seal impression. Through the demonstration, Dr. Low illustrated how conceptual planning, technical execution and continual refinement contribute equally to the making of a finished work.

The talk concluded with a discussion session in which participants raised questions on seal appreciation, collecting, learning pathways and artistic practice. Reflecting on the relationship between tradition and innovation, Dr. Low encouraged beginners to develop a foundation through the study of seal script and the close observation of Qin and Han seals, noting that meaningful innovation emerges from a deep understanding of historical traditions rather than from their rejection.

The programme concluded with a live calligraphy demonstration by Dr. Low alongside with Board members of Seal Carving Association of Malaysia, Kerk Won Hoo, Executive Vice President, Tham Leck Sing, Deputy Secretary-General and Chia Hoe Kit, Honorary Board Member, offering visitors the opportunity to engage with the artists and observe the expressive qualities of brushwork at close range. Through the lecture, participants get a deeper understanding of the historical, cultural and artistic significance of Chinese seal carving. By bringing together history, theory and artistic practice, the talk not only promoted appreciation of this enduring tradition, but also inspired audiences to recognise seal carving as a living art that continues to evolve while preserving the rich cultural legacy of Chinese civilisation.