Display of carved inkstones celebrates nature's will and workmanship

Songhua stone, primarily found in the Changbai Mountain area in Jilin province, gained a reputation as early as the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) for its rich colors and fine textures, winning the heart of Emperor Kangxi who designated the stone a material for the making of inkstones to be used at court.

Collecting and engraving on this kind of beautiful stone, as an example of nature's work of excellence, has become a dedication of Peng Zushu, now aged 91, since 1990. He has also built an assembly of fine stones from across the country, and turned them into a "stage" of miniature art on which he carved poems, paintings and seal impressions.

His such works of sophistication are now on show at the National Art Museum of China, through to July 18, as well as rubbings and pieces of calligraphy.