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This structure of reaping what one sows is a time-honoured cautionary tale of karmic proportions. Huang Yao presents the parable in his own inimitable and optimistic style, with charming childlike caricatures. The bright colours and exuberance are beautifully captured in this work from his Children series. From China to Southeast Asia, Huang Yao has won legions of admirers for his righteous and cute cartoon hero, Niubizi. He is known for his upside-down and Oracle Bone script calligraphy.

Born in Shanghai, Huang Yao is known as a cartoonist, scholar and painter, who created the infamous Chinese cartoon character Niubizi (OX Snout) and developed his acclaimed Wenzihua (painting of ancient Chinese characters) and Ziyouhua (abstract paintings). His move to Malaysia had marked a transition in his life as a scholar from 1956 to 1973. As a painter, he was trained by his father and studied the old Chinese masters. Huang Yao’s recent exhibition was held at Shanghai Art Museum in August 2011. He is also honoured with a retrospective exhibition in Singapore in 2001. His works are collected by the British Museum, Ashmolen Museum, National Palace Museum of Taiwan and Shanghai Museum, among others.