Himalayan Art Exhibit in Washington

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WASHINGTON, U.S.A., October 25, 2003: Known as “A Stairway to Heaven” the ancient Himalayas, including the regions of present-day Nepal, Kashmir and Tibet, produced religious art that was a hybrid of the Buddhist and Hindu religions. An art exhibit of 163 objects from this region is now showing at the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery until January 11. Incorporating icons that are a hybrid of Indian and Tibetan civilizations, the Bodhisattvas on display feature certain cultural expressions. For example, the article explains the Bodhisattva Manjusri as, “A suavely modeled 12th-century gilded bronze from Nepal. It exudes the youthful, smooth and restrained sensuality of the Nepalese style.” The Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, representing the Kashmiri aesthetic, is described as follows, “As the bodhisattva of compassion, he offers one hand in the gesture of giving while the other holds a lotus in full bloom.” This exhibit of Himalayan art captures the essence of it all with its presentation of various icons. The article sums it up, “Don’t be fazed by the many foreign names and concepts that crop up in this magnificent exhibit of Himalayan art. You don’t need to know the names because each individual piece displays a beauty that is universal.”