館藏觀音造像特展
根據佛經的記載，觀音菩薩由於慈悲願力與智慧，對於眾生，不論地域、種族，無分貧富貴賤、男女老幼，都能夠應其所求，聞聲救苦。因此，觀音菩薩自古以來即普遍受人們的愛戴與敬奉，也是我們日常最熟悉親切的菩薩。歷經中華文化涵養一千七百餘年，觀音信仰早已超越宗教範疇，並且融入日常生活與藝術創作之中。歷代所造觀音慈容，幻化多變──時而是清雅的白衣大士；時而是嫻靜溫婉的婦人；時而又變現千手千眼......。為何會有如此多種觀音菩薩的形象呢?
此次展覽，特別選取館藏石刻、木雕、金銅、碑拓、書畫等多樣材質所造，諸多型態之觀音菩薩像。希望透過紛然燦爛的藝術面貌，邀請參觀者一同探尋觀音諸相的故事，窺見觀音信仰的豐富內涵，領略慈悲中的善美之境。
According to Buddhist scriptures, by virtue of her compassionate vows and wisdom, Guanyin Bodhisattva responds to the entreaties of all beings. Regardless of people’s nationality, ethnicity, wealth, gender, or age, Guanyin hears their cries and alleviates their suffering. For this reason, Guanyin has been broadly beloved and respected since ancient times, and still remains the most intimately familiar bodhisattva to this day.
Having been embraced by Chinese culture for more than 1700 years, belief in Guanyin long ago expanded beyond the scope of any single religion, seeping deeply into the fabric of daily life as well as the arts. Historical renderings of Guanyin’s compassionate visage vary greatly. Sometimes she is depicted as a graceful master in flowing white robes, sometimes as a warm and serene woman, sometimes as a being endowed with one thousand arms, each of which bears its own eye. Why are there so many variations in Guanyin’s depiction?
This exhibition presents a carefully-chosen selection of portrayals of Guanyin Bodhisattva in various media, including stone carvings, wooden sculptures, bronzes, stele rubbings, and paintings. We hope that this entrancing medley of artworks will entice visitors to explore the stories underlying all of Guanyin’s different depictions. We invite viewers to familiarize themselves with the rich backstory of belief in Guanyin at the same time as they appreciate these beautiful depictions of the bodhisattva of compassion.
