Among the works in Axiom are a number of sculptured porcelain busts for which Ah has become well known – Bust 35 has just been added to the gallery’s permanent collection – but next to them at the launch was Ah himself, appearing under perspex and “on” a plinth.

Dubbed Serenity: Self portrait (2016), Ah said the performance art was “a true still life” that was a “meditative and peaceful” reflection on the experience of seeking refuge (the Chinese-born Australian artist sought political asylum in Australia following the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989).

Axiom explores Ah’s regular themes of  humanity, cultural identity and spirituality, and brings together works from public and private collections from around Australia including Queensland Art Gallery, The Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney and Powerhouse Museum, Sydney.

It is the largest collection of his solo work seen in Australia since 2003.

The exhibition was officially opened by Geelong Gallery director Jason Smith and will be on show in Hamilton until February 26.