statue near the museum entrance
Crow Museum of Asian Art of The University of Texas at Dallas

Avatars and Incarnations: Buddhist and Hindu Art from the Collection

Friday, September 28, 2018 - Sunday, February 24, 2019

Stele with Varaha North India Pala period (c. 730-1197), c. 11th century Stone, likely phyllite or schist 28 x 8.5 x 24 in. Crow Collection of Asian Art, 1982.52
Vishnu Cambodia, Khmer Empire (802-1431), c. 9th century Sandstone 38 x 19.5 x 9.5 in. Crow Collection of Asian Art, 1999.30
Sculpted arch India, Rajasthan, Chola period, 12th century Black stone 42 x 35 x 4.5 in. Crow Collection of Asian Art, 1983.8
Lokeshvara Cambodia, Khmer Empire (802-1431), c. 12th century Limestone 36 x 13.5 x 6.5 in. Crow Collection of Asian Art, 1982.56
Tara Tibet, c. 18th century Bronze and gilding 17 x 10.75 x 6.5 in. Crow Collection of Asian Art, 1982.44

Avatars and Incarnations explores the concept of divine avatars in Hindu and Buddhist art represented in the museum’s collection. In Hinduism and Buddhism, the concept of an avatar refers to the incarnation or physical manifestation of a deity, spirit, or abstract quality in human or animal form. Each avatar is meant to counteract a particular problem, evil, or suffering in the world. Different avatars often represent specific aspects of greater transcendent deities, and thus serve as useful focal points for devotion. Over centuries, Hinduism and Buddhism have progressively added many legends, ceremonies, physical disciplines, practices, and schools of thought.

Today, there are many different ways to be a Hindu or a Buddhist. That expansion of thought and practice extends to deities; together, the two religions collectively embrace perhaps tens of thousands of gods and goddesses in a variety of forms. The artistic and visual representations of these deities change in style and appearance across time and place — the same deity may look completely different depending on the context. Through these works of art, we invite you to contemplate the endless variety of these divine Hindu and Buddhist figures.

#avatarsandincarnations 

Save the date for the Members’ First Look and Tour on Thursday, September 27, 2018, from 7:00 – 9:00 pm celebrating the Crow Museum’s newest exhibitions.  If you are a member and would like to RSVP, please email rsvp@crowmuseum.org. If you are not a member and would like to learn more about becoming a member click here.