Avatar: Forms of Vishnu

Chaitanya Sambrani; Melanie  Eastburn

Avatar: Forms of Vishnu

Chaitanya Sambrani (Curator)
, Melanie Eastburn (Curator)

School of Art & Design

Research output: Non-textual form › Hosted Exhibition or Event

Abstract

This exhibition brings together 15 centuries of art 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 and photographs, 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.

The exhibition presents exceptional historical and contemporary art from renowned collections in Australia, India, Cambodia, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. It also includes work by contemporary artists Gitanjali Das, Kalyan Joshi, Jumaadi, Desmond Lazaro, Kalam Patua, Nalini Malani, Pushpamala N, Sumakshi Singh and Satyanarayan Suthar.

Original language	English
Publisher	Art Gallery NSW
Publication status	Published - 19 Jun 2026
Event	Avatar: Forms of Vishnu - Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia Duration: 20 Jun 2026 → 5 Oct 2026 https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/media-office/avatar-opens/

Cite this

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N2 - This exhibition brings together 15 centuries of art 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 and photographs, 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. The exhibition presents exceptional historical and contemporary art from renowned collections in Australia, India, Cambodia, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. It also includes work by contemporary artists Gitanjali Das, Kalyan Joshi, Jumaadi, Desmond Lazaro, Kalam Patua, Nalini Malani, Pushpamala N, Sumakshi Singh and Satyanarayan Suthar.

AB - This exhibition brings together 15 centuries of art 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 and photographs, 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. The exhibition presents exceptional historical and contemporary art from renowned collections in Australia, India, Cambodia, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. It also includes work by contemporary artists Gitanjali Das, Kalyan Joshi, Jumaadi, Desmond Lazaro, Kalam Patua, Nalini Malani, Pushpamala N, Sumakshi Singh and Satyanarayan Suthar.

UR - https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/whats-on/exhibitions/avatar/

UR - https://sari.anu.edu.au/news/major-exhibition-art-gallery-new-south-wales-avatar-forms-vishnu

UR - https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/media-office/avatar-opens/

M3 - Hosted Exhibition or Event

PB - Art Gallery NSW

Y2 - 20 June 2026 through 5 October 2026

ER -

Avatar: Forms of Vishnu

Abstract

Other files and links

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A Procession of Diversity: The Avatars of Vishnu in Art

Warrior, Lover, Saviour

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