A sculpture of Ddinggu impersonating the superhero Captain America is on show. [Photo provided to China Daily]

He says the way Ddinggu takes on superhero roles is like people entering adulthood and being as mature as they are expected to be.

"Oops, you are no longer a child. Oops, you get married, have children and are the master of a household. These changes happen all of a sudden," says Lee.

"Without realizing it, you are pushed to be a superhero at home and in the workplace."

But Ddinggu doesn't change, says Lee, and so people should be true to themselves.

"It is your belief in a life of liberty and hope, which may sound naive, that will release you from the mounting pressure of survival."

Meanwhile, Lee recently began exploring motifs other than Ddinggu.

His Compromise series, which is also on display, for instance, reflects his courage to embrace a life abroad, says Gary Mok, the exhibition's co-curator.

One installation from the series is a revolving pistol that shoots bright balloons rather than bullets.

The handgun represents the difficulties Lee copes with, such as the recent relocation of his studio.

The burst of balloons indicates his acceptance of the changes and an optimistic attitude.

Lee makes compromises in life, says Mok, but he doesn't recoil from challenges.