Endowment encourages collaboration between faculty and Harn Museum of Art

May 23, 2008

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — “An Ocean of Devotion: South Asian Regional Worship Traditions” was developed as a direct result of collaboration between the Harn Museum of Art and the Center for the Study of Hindu Traditions (CHiTra) at the University of Florida. This exhibition was made possible through the generous support of the Dr. Madelyn M. Lockhart Endowment for Focus Exhibitions.

The endowment was established in 2003 and supports focus exhibitions at the Harn Museum of Art that are formed through collaboration with UF faculty in order to enhance teaching at the University of Florida. Dr. Madelyn Lockhart is a former UF dean of the Graduate School and professor emeritus of economics.

Distinguished professor of religion Vasudha Narayanan and Cofrin Curator of Asian Art Jason Steuber, co-curators of “An Ocean of Devotion,” worked together to select 32 objects dating from the third century through the mid-twentieth century from the Harn Museum’s Asian art collection, some of which have never been exhibited previously.

The display, organization and groupings of the works center on specific deities, such as Vishnu, Ganesha, Krishna and Parvati, and explore narratives significant in the Hindu traditions. Each grouping juxtaposes works of various media and time periods to illustrate the continuity and change each figure undergoes due to regional and historical circumstances.

The exhibition is on view through October 19. At 3 p.m. on June 8, Vasudha Narayanan will give a gallery talk.