The stories of Avatar of Vishnu, what teach us. Special exhibition at AGNSW

AGNSW Volunteer japanese guide Nobuko matsuda(L) and Kazuko Chalker(R)

Vishnu is a Hindu god whose purpose is to maintain the world. When a crisis arises, he sends various avatars to help the world. We spoke with Japanese volunteer guides Nobuko Matsuda and Kazuko Chalker about the current special exhibition, "Avatar: Forms of Vishnu," held by the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

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Installation view of 13th-century 'Lakshmi Narasimha' 1200s soapstone sculpture on loan from the Trustees of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Mumbai, with Sumakshi Singh’s work 'Threshold' 2026, on display in the 'Avatar: Forms of Vishnu' exhibition at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, photo © Art Gallery of New South Wales, Jenni Carter ***These images may only be used in conjunction with media editorial coverage of the Avatar: Forms of Vishnu exhibition at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, and strictly in accordance with the terms of access to these images – see artgallery.nsw.gov.au/info/access-to-agnsw-media-room-tcs. Without limiting those terms, these images must not be cropped or overwritten; prior approval in writing is required for use as a cover; caption details must accompany reproductions of the images; and archiving is not permitted.*** Media contact: [e-mail] Credit: Jenni Carter

India, Rajasthan, Jaipur 'Vishnu reclines on the cosmic serpent' mid 1800s, opaque watercolour, gold and silver on paper, 23 × 35 cm, National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, purchased 2013 ***This image may only be used in conjunction with media editorial coverage of the 'Avatar: Forms of Vishnu' exhibition, and strictly in accordance with the terms of access to these images – see artgallery.nsw.gov.au/info/access-to-agnsw-media-room-tcs. Without limiting those terms, these images must not be cropped or overwritten; prior approval in writing is required for use as a cover; caption details must accompany reproductions of the images; and archiving is not permitted.*** Media contact: [e-mail]

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