Peaceful Buddhas and bodhisattvas, and ferocious warriors-protectors of Buddhism populate The Dragon’s Gift exhibition of Bhutanese sacred objects, used in rituals and ceremonies, many never before seen in the West. Silver and gilded bronze and copper statuettes, adorned with turquoise and red corals, and elaborate thangkas (colored ink paintings on cotton) range from 1300s to 1900s, with the most ancient artifact found in the Himalayas, Seated Goddess Kongtsedemo (photo by Shuzo Uemoto) dated 600-800. At the opening on Wednesday, curator Terese Tse Bartholomew, and Honolulu Academy of Arts Director, Dr. Stephen Little (exhibition organizers) as well as distinguished guests from Bhutan, stressed out time and again the country’s unique history. A relatively small Asian nation, surrounded by two most populous countries—China and India, Bhutan has never been colonized or invaded. A sovereign state, ruled by the democratic king, Bhutan preserved its culture and traditions in their purest form, reflected in religious artifacts, created not as artwork, but as everyday use objects. In fact, several Buddhist monks will stay in residence in the museum throughout the run of the show to pay their daily respect to the sacred objects. The Dragon’s Gift is on view through May 10. To find out about the exhibition and related special programs, performances, film screenings, and seminars, call 415-581-3500 or visit www.asianart.org. Asian Art Museum is located at 200 Larkin St., San Francisco.
The Sacred Arts of Bhutan Exhibition Opens at Asian Art Museum
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Peaceful Buddhas and bodhisattvas, and ferocious warriors-protectors of Buddhism populate The Dragon’s Gift exhibition of Bhutanese sacred objects, used in rituals and ceremonies, many never before seen in the West. Silver and gilded bronze and copper statuettes, adorned with turquoise and red corals, and elaborate thangkas (colored ink paintings on cotton) range from 1300s to 1900s, with the most ancient artifact found in the Himalayas, Seated Goddess Kongtsedemo (photo by Shuzo Uemoto) dated 600-800. At the opening on Wednesday, curator Terese Tse Bartholomew, and Honolulu Academy of Arts Director, Dr. Stephen Little (exhibition organizers) as well as distinguished guests from Bhutan, stressed out time and again the country’s unique history. A relatively small Asian nation, surrounded by two most populous countries—China and India, Bhutan has never been colonized or invaded. A sovereign state, ruled by the democratic king, Bhutan preserved its culture and traditions in their purest form, reflected in religious artifacts, created not as artwork, but as everyday use objects. In fact, several Buddhist monks will stay in residence in the museum throughout the run of the show to pay their daily respect to the sacred objects. The Dragon’s Gift is on view through May 10. To find out about the exhibition and related special programs, performances, film screenings, and seminars, call 415-581-3500 or visit www.asianart.org. Asian Art Museum is located at 200 Larkin St., San Francisco.
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