Avatar: Forms of Vishnu Exhibition at Art Gallery New South Wales

Sat 20 Jun '26 – Mon 05 Oct '26 (WEEKLY event)

Overview

Discover a realm of wonder, drama and divine beauty. 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…

Discover a realm of wonder, drama and divine beauty.

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.

Location

Art Gallery of New South Wales

Art Gallery Road Sydney NSW 2000 Australia

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Location - Art Gallery Road Sydney NSW 2000 Australia

FAQs

Accessibility

Allows a person's carer free entry into participating venues and events

Actively welcomes people with access needs.

Caters for people with sufficient mobility to climb a few steps but who would benefit from fixtures to aid balance. (This includes people using walking frames and mobility aids)

Employ people with disability

Have accessibility information and photos, including of a bathroom, room and/or floor plan on your website (can be emailed on request)

Have grab rails in the bathroom

Offer a range of contact methods for receiving complaints

Offer multiple options for booking - web, email, phone

Provide seating in common areas including reception area

Train your staff in communicating with people with learning or behavioural challenges

Train your staff in disability awareness

Use floors/coverings which are slip resistant, firm and smooth

Use non-slip tiles in the bathroom or slip resistant matting

Use Plain English / easy read signage and information (includes menus and emergency information)

Welcomes and assists people who have challenges with learning, communication, understanding and behaviour. (includes people with autism, intellectual disability, Down syndrome, acquired brain injury (ABI), dyslexia and dementia)