Devotional Arts of Nepal
September 17, 2005-April 2, 2006

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SAN DIEGO—Beginning this September, a new exhibition at the San Diego Museum of Art reveals the fruits of a unique commingling of art associated with Buddhist and Hindu devotional practices, produced by skilled Nepalese artists. Consisting of nearly 40 paintings and sculptures from Nepal and related objects from Tibet and India, Devotional Arts of Nepal highlights a little-known aspect of SDMA's Edwin Binney 3rd Collection, which is concurrently being featured in the exhibition Domains of Wonder: Selected Masterworks of Indian Painting.

The works in the exhibition reveal the distinctively syncretic nature of the arts of the Kathmandu valley of Nepal. Nowhere else did Buddhism and Hinduism coexist so closely that the distinction between Hindu and Buddhist in Nepal was often blurred, even for devotees.

Artists of this region, historically renowned for their virtuosity in painting, wood-carving, and metalwork, produced devotional arts for both Buddhist and Hindu patrons for centuries, regardless of their own religious affiliations. Nepali artists freely appropriated motifs, themes, and techniques in painting and sculpture from India and Tibet; but far from being simply derivative copies, such appropriation served to enhance their own artistic traditions. Certain works on display will demonstrate how Nepali artists produced sacred Buddhist and Hindu objects that were openly interlinked with international and intersectarian movements.

The exhibition is divided into four sections. The first explores the transmission of art into Nepal from India and includes sculptures and painted palm leaf manuscript pages from the region. The second delves into the history of Buddhist art in Nepal and highlights some of the world's finest illuminated Buddhist manuscripts. Beginning in the 7th century, Buddhism was introduced into Tibet; the third section examines how Nepali artists continually played a prominent role in the development of Tibetan art. Finally, the exhibition analyzes the flourishing of certain Hindu branches alongside Buddhism and the sharing of divinities, ritual practices, and ideologies between the two religions. In addition, the Museum's upper rotunda will feature a related display of the Tibetan Buddhist deity, Hayagriva, and include associated devotional objects.

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