Avatar: Forms of Vishnu is the first exhibition in Australia devoted to the Hindu god and his many manifestations. The exhibition features 200 artworks from Southeast Asian and Asian art spanning an incredible timeline of 15 centuries, from 5th Century Indian sculpture and 6th Century Cambodian pieces to new works by contemporary artists Desmond Lazaro, Sumakshi Singh and Kalam Patua. Many artworks have been loaned for the first time leaving their home institutions to travel to Sydney. Significant works are coming from incredible global art collections in Delhi, Mumbai, Cambodia, London, Zurich and from across Australia.

The exhibition brings together centuries of art and storytelling from South and Southeast Asia celebrating Vishnu, the Hindu deity who preserves order in the universe. The extraordinary and adventurous stories of the avatars, who are regal, blue-skinned and beautifully bejewelled and come to earth to destroy evil in the form of demon, have inspired some of the most sumptuous and imaginative art in South and Southeast Asia. Avatar: Forms of Vishnu features Vishnu in his many avatars, including Matsya the fish, Kurma the tortoise, the beloved Krishna, the noble prince Rāma, and Kalki, the future avatar who will bring renewal. Standout works include the 6th century Krishna from Cambodia, Chola bronze sculptures, paintings made for the Mughal Emperor Akbar in the 1590s.

This captivating exhibition brings together centuries of art and storytelling from South and Southeast Asia celebrating Vishnu, the Hindu deity who preserves order in the universe.

Avatar, meaning ‘descent’ in Sanskrit, describes the many forms Vishnu takes to descend from the heavens to restore balance on earth. In sculpture, painting, textiles, photographs and film, the exhibition traces the ways artists have envisioned Vishnu’s various avatars, including Matsya the fish, Kurma the tortoise, the beloved Krishna, the noble prince Rāma, and Kalki, the future avatar who will bring renewal.

Brimming with tales of heroism, love and devotion, the exhibition presents exceptional historical and contemporary art from renowned collections in Australia, India, Cambodia, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. It also introduces new works created especially for the exhibition by artists Desmond Lazaro, Gitanjali Das, Kalam Patua and Sumakshi Singh.

For more information, please visit the Art Gallery of NSW website.

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