Local · 3 October 2026

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

The first major Australian exhibition dedicated to Vishnu, featuring nearly 200 works spanning fifteen centuries, concluded at Sydney’s Art Gallery of New South Wales on 5 October 2026.

From 20 June to 5 October 2026, the Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney presented "Avatar: Forms of Vishnu," the first major exhibition in Australia dedicated to the Hindu deity Vishnu. The exhibition brought together nearly 200 exceptional works, spanning fifteen centuries of South and Southeast Asian art and storytelling, to explore Vishnu’s enduring presence in religious and artistic traditions.

Visitors encountered a wide range of depictions of Vishnu’s avatars, including Matsya the fish, Kurma the tortoise, Krishna, Rāma, and Kalki, the future avatar. The exhibition traced how artists across different eras and regions have envisioned these forms, highlighting the diversity of interpretations and artistic styles.

Alongside historical works, the exhibition featured contemporary pieces by artists such as Gitanjali Das, Kalyan Joshi, Jumaadi, Desmond Lazaro, Kalam Patua, Nalini Malani, Pushpamala N, Sumakshi Singh, and Satyanarayan Suthar. This combination of past and present offered visitors a dynamic perspective on Vishnu’s influence in art.

The final weekend, from 2 to 5 October, included special promotions such as 2-for-1 tickets and extended opening hours until 10pm from 2 to 4 October. During these late openings, visitors could also enjoy dance performances and a dining offer at MOD Dining.

The exhibition was co-curated by Dr Chaitanya Sambrani, with support from the School of Art and Design at the Australian National University. "Avatar: Forms of Vishnu" marked a significant cultural event, bringing a major focus on Hindu mythology and South Asian heritage to Australian audiences.

Why it matters

As the first major Australian exhibition dedicated to Vishnu, this event provided a rare opportunity for audiences to engage with South and Southeast Asian religious art and storytelling. It highlighted the cultural richness and artistic diversity of Vishnu’s avatars, fostering greater understanding and appreciation of Hindu traditions within Australia’s multicultural society.

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