Gallery Talk: Animal Power

Join curatorial fellow Janet O’Brien for an exploration of the diverse range of animal representations in a recent installation in our Islamic and South Asian art galleries, including their symbolic meanings and cultural significance. On view in the Islamic art gallery (2550) are a 16th-century Persian carpet, a selection of ceramic and metal sculptural objects from 13th- and 19th-century Iran, and contemporary glass birds by Turkish artist Felekşan Onar. The display in the South Asian art gallery (2590) includes a devotional painting showing animal mounts of Hindu deities, a textile featuring hybrid creatures from Hindu mythology, and a Gujarati embroidery with rainbow-colored birds.

This gallery talk is part of our New on View series, highlighting recent gallery installations and presenting new insights into recent acquisitions or old favorites.

Led by:
Janet O’Brien, Calderwood Curatorial Fellow in South Asian and Islamic Art, Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art

Please check in with museum staff at the Visitor Services desk in the Calderwood Courtyard to request to join the gallery talk. Space is limited, and talks are available on a first-come, first-served basis; no registration is required.

You may also like the following events from Harvard Art Museums:

• Next Wednesday, 3rd December, 12:00 pm, ON DISPLAY HARVARD 2025 in Cambridge

Also check out other Arts events in Cambridge, Fine Arts events in Cambridge.