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Japanese, Indian sculptures join Ackland collection

CHAPEL HILL -- An armed warrior, poised for battle atop a fierce demon, and the maternal energy of nature are subjects of two recent additions to the Asian sculpture collection at the Ackland Art Museum.

The artworks -- a Japanese carved-wood piece titled "Bishamonten" (ca. 1300) and a pink sandstone "Rail Post with a Yakshi" from India (A.D. 50-320) – are displayed in the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill museum's Clara and Gilbert Yager Gallery of Asian Art. "Bishamonten" honors the late UNC-CH Chancellor Michael Hooker; "Yakshi" honors Ackland donor Gilbert Yager of Chapel Hill and the late Charles Morrow, a former UNC-CH provost.

"It’s wonderful to see the beautiful collection created by the Yagers nurturing the study of Asian art and culture at Carolina, as well as in K-12 schools across the state," said Ackland director Gerald Bolas, referencing the many school groups that visit the Ackland. "Objects such as the ‘Bishamonten’ and ‘Yakshi’ are enormously important, for their value in teaching about a range of cultures and experiences and their significance as objects of exceptional beauty."

As guardian king of the North and chief of the four celestial guardian kings in Buddhist iconography, the "Bishamonten" carries a stupa (or pagoda), a symbol of what he protects, in his left hand and originally held a lance in his right, consistent with other "Bishamonten" from that era. Crystal and metalwork figure into the wood of the carving.

"Michael would have appreciated the ‘Bishamonten’ for the strength of its artistic, historical and philosophical merits, and would have recognized its value as a teaching resource for school groups, university audiences and the public," said Carmen Hooker, wife of the late chancellor. "The Ackland was obviously a very special place for Michael – from his time spent there as a student to the critical place the museum held in his vision for the university."

"Bishamonten" is an example of a ritual object sculpted in the Kamakura period (1185-1336). Adherents to the tantric strain of Buddhism create these objects to aid the average person's quest for enlightenment -- similar to the way that the cross or the cup aim to bring Christians closer to God during communion.

The work is from the Kei School, named for the character 'kei' in the names of many of the artists. Characteristic of the style is a virtuoso realism, including powerfully muscled figures, elaborate draperies and crystal eyes inserted from the inside of the figure.

"This is a particularly striking and dynamic piece, characteristic of the vigor and technique of the Kamakura period," said Asian art scholar and Ackland board member Sherman Lee. "The ‘Bishamonten’ is a very important addition to the collection and the museum's first acquisition from this period."

The museum purchased the sculpture through the William A. Whitaker Foundation Art Fund, a bequest to the university by the late Whitaker, a class of 1904 alumnus.

"Rail Post with a Yakshi" is a gift of Clara Yager, a member of the museum’s national advisory board, and Mary N. Morrow, both of Chapel Hill, in honor of their husbands, Gilbert Yager and former UNC-CH Provost Charles Morrow. The Kushan Period sculpture is from India’s Mathura Region.

Charles Millard, chair of the Ackland’s National Advisory Board and former director of the museum, helped Clara Yager and Mary Morrow find the sculpture.

"It has been the Ackland’s great good fortune to have as guardian angels both the Morrows and the Yagers," Millard said. "The splendid ‘Yakshi’ could not be a more appropriate tribute. Serious, sensuous, spirited, delicate and refined, it represents the best in Indian art and embodies the high standards set by both the donors and the honorees."

Pika Ghosh, an assistant art history professor, is teaching a graduate seminar focusing on the sculptures. Her students work with all Indian sculptures in the museum and bring visiting scholars to enrich their studies.

The Ackland, on South Columbia Street near Franklin Street, opens 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. Call 406-9837 for recorded information or 966-5736 for the museum office.

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Contact: Andy Berner, Ackland Art Museum, 966-5736.