The solid bronze figures are painted with bright red enamel automobile paint. Red is used with uniform powerful ironic effect in these works. Playfully, lyrically the red men are speaking the naked truth.

Arguably, Chen Wenling is China’s most recognisable sculptor from any period. His body of work is much broader than sculpture but has rarely been exhibited outside China. Whether it is sculpture or works on paper his impishness and roguishness are instantly seen. The works stand out as satirical, while joyful and uplifting in their frequent absurdity. It is the Lightness of being Chen Wenling.

Wenling is well known in Australia, especially through his appearances at Sculpture by the Sea. He was the first Chinese artist to be included in Sculpture by the Sea and has been invited back eight times. Sculpture by the Sea helped launch his international career. And we remember the late curator, Anni Ma, who first introduced Wenling to Australia.

The show at Vermillion Art includes works from the artist’s earlier period through to his latest works, some of which are shown for the first time anywhere. It presents a diverse body of work. The works on paper show astonishing imagination and originality, but somewhere is an echo of the influences of the Absurdist Marcel du Champ and the Surrealist René Magritte.

He is now doing large scale calligraphic works painted on his studio floor using huge calligraphy brushes, just as Jackson Pollock did with oils for his large-scale abstract works in the 1950s. He works fast and furiously, producing powerful yet elegant Chinese characters.

Wenling is constantly drawing, painting, moulding, and talking. His high energy and activity are present in everything he does. His works feel as if they’re bursting with new ideas.

The Lightness of Being refers to how Wenling deals with a world of great change, threats, uncertainty, and great inequality of wealth and power. Through irony, allegory, and most importantly impish wicked humour he helps us see that in each of us the human spirit endures and will prevail. He is the artist of our times.

Dr Geoff Raby AO was Australia’s ambassador to China (2007–2011). He is the guest curator of The Lightness of Being.