A Hindu deity is the starting point of this mind-expanding new exhibition
The Hindu god Vishnu has seven avatars, including a turtle and a boar. All seven feature as part of a new exhibition at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
Sydney's premier art gallery has launched a groundbreaking exhibition exploring the Hindu deity Vishnu, the god of order and cosmic balance. Curator Chaitanya Sambrani insists the show is designed to challenge viewers' perceptions and foster a sense of awe. Featuring 200 artworks spanning centuries and media, including contemporary pieces, the exhibition spans a range of forms Vishnu has taken, from a turtle to a man-lion.
The most recent incarnation, Kalki, is prophesied to arrive when society collapses. While Vishnu is central to Hinduism, his stories resonate across Asia, including Cambodia, where one of the largest Hindu temples once stood. The Art Gallery of New South Wales secured a loan of a 100-800 AD statue of Lord Krishna from the National Museum of Cambodia, a significant piece that tells the story of Krishna holding up the mountain Govardhana.
The exhibition aims to make ancient Hindu narratives relevant today, pushing boundaries and encouraging nuance in how these stories are perceived, especially in Australian institutions that often focus on rare artifacts. Visitors are encouraged to interact with the pieces, as the exhibition seeks to respect and celebrate those for whom Vishnu's stories are central to their identity.
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