Inspired by the spirited poem Welcome A Sky Full of Snow (梅 花欢喜漫天雪), transcendental dialogue between the past and present, this work embodies a distinctive accomplishment in lyrical artistic expression, conveying a dynamic visual presence through the seamless integration of abstract and expressionist elements. Marking the shift from C.N. Liew’s explorations in abstract calligraphy to painting in colour, the rhythmic, gestural strokes evoke and achieve a rare harmony between subject and intention through expressive colour and richly layered forms. Created during a period when contemporary Chinese ink artists were transforming calligraphy into Eastern abstraction, this piece also reflects the distinctive evolution of Liew’s practice, emerging after his Surealligraphy period, and later developed toward the Beyond the Border series. C.N. Liew is widely recognised for a form of surrealist calligraphy, a unique aesthetic that bridges the ancient tradition of Chinese ink painting with the expressive scale of Western abstraction. In Plum Blossoms, Liew reimagines a classic motif of Chinese literati art, the resilient flower that blooms in the winter, transforming it into a high-octane explosion of rhythmic energy and movement. The work is dominated by a sweeping, circular gesture in silver and black that anchors the center of the metal, evoking the spirit of a brush stroke scaled to monumental proportions. This central vortex is set against a fractured background of bold red and white splatters, suggesting the scattering of petals in a gust of wind. A pioneer who became the first Malaysian artist to exhibit at Art Basel, Liew’s work is deeply rooted in the philosophy of the unfettered mind. Plum Blossoms is not a literal depiction of a tree, but a visual translation of vitality (Qi): a testament to the artist’s ability to find harmony within the beautiful chaos of the natural world. C.N. Liew is the first in history to hold a contemporary ink exhibition at University of Cambridge. He is also the first Asian artist to be approved and invited by Clare Hall, University of Cambridge to hold his exhibition in the college. C.N. Liew is mentored by the Zen master Rev Bo Yuan a.k.a. Paik Wan and the modernist Chinese brush artist Liu Kuo-sung. He had won the Special Award for his Surrealligraphy, fusion of Western Surrealism and Chinese Calligraphy, in the Seoul Calligraphy Biennial in 2005, and has been featured in international fairs such as Hong Kong Art Fair (2011), Art Basel and Art Miami (2012) and Kunming Art Biennial (2023). C.N. Liew, a leading figure in Southeast Asia’s contemporary ink movement, was born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He holds the distinction of being the first artist whose contemporary calligraphy has been acquired by the National Palace of Malaysia. In recognition of his artistic achievements, he received the “World Outstanding Young Leaders Award” from Asia Week in 2016. The National Art Gallery of Malaysia has presented "C.N. Liew: Beyond The Borders" in 2020. Liew was the first contemporary ink art artist to be invited to present a solo exhibition at the National Art Gallery Malaysia. Liew’s works are in the collection of the National Art Gallery, National Palace of Malaysia, University of Cambridge, Peking University, Xiamen University (Universitas Amoiensis), Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, Tokyo Fuji Art Museum, Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum in Taiwan, The Academy of Contemporary Ink Art of Shanghai Institute of Visual Arts, Faculty of Art and Social Sciences University of Malaya and many important private collections across Asia, Europe and the United States. His works have been documented and featured in several prominent archives, including the Asia Art Archive, the National Art Gallery Malaysia Artist Archive, and Beijing KuArt. In the April 2025 Henry Butcher Art Auction, his painting A Dialogue With J.M.W. Turner (2015) was sold for RM 123,200.