Why Should You Care?

It’s a valid question and one which brings us back to an earlier answer. Why would a museum go through the hassle of securing such a collection, bringing it to the New York at a time when Pakistan and US relations are less than ideal, and, furthermore, why would anyone attend? As noted, after all, there are other means by which to see Gandharan art, such as in institutions like the MET or traveling exhibitions from such countries as Germany or France.¹Many justifications could support the validity of the exhibition, such as its’ use as a boost to Pakistani relations, justify Pakistan’s claim on the objects, or as a means of educating the American public with specific, usually inaccessible objects like Vision of the Buddha’s Paradise.²However, it appears to be more than that. From its basis as an institution devoted to the exchange and understanding of culture, the Asia Society appears to fully embrace those ideals promoted by the Lahore and Karachi museums, working directly with them to select items or allowing them to select those artifacts they wish to share.³The unique arrangement of artifacts is made to be directly conductive to exploration and comparison, giving as complete a view of Gandhara as could be achieved by seventy items. Furthermore, the accessibility of the exhibit in creating an environment where non-specialists can appreciate the “visual impact” of the work while historians can study the work in details indicates a clear aim.⁴More than anything else, however, this exhibition appears as an effort to showcase Gandharan art through the lens of true cultural sharing with the people offering up the pieces of their history they wish to share with a different audience. In this way, The Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan: Art of Gandhara emerges as one of the best examples of Gandharan art available in the US, not due to scarcity, but due to its unique perspectives. Despite the difficulties, the Asia Society’s exhibition was well worth its efforts.

1. Ed. Laing, M. E. D. Along the Ancient Silk Routes: Central Asian Art from the West Berlin State Museums.
2. “The Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan: Art of Gandhara.” Asia Society.
3. “Mission & History.” Asia Society.
4. Cotter, Holland. “When East Met West Under the Buddha’s Gaze.”