In a major coup for Sydney’s history buffs and art lovers, this summer the Powerhouse will be presenting Five Hundred Arhats – a collection of statues first discovered in 2001 among the ruins of the Changnyeongsa temple in Yeongwol, Gangwon-do Province in South Korea.
Believed to be between 600 and 1,000 years old, the lifelike sculptures – known as ‘arhats’ or ‘nahan’ in Korean – depict a range of human emotions, including joy, serenity, anger and sorrow. They are said to represent the 500 disciples of Buddha who have attained enlightenment but remain in their human state in order to teach and save sentient beings.
This exclusive Australian showing marks the first time the stone arhats have been displayed outside of Korea, with 50 figures and one Buddha making the journey over. There will also be an immersive installation by Korean artist Kim Seung Young in collaboration with sound designer Oh Yoonseok, featuring more than 1,000 audio speakers.
The exhibition has been produced in partnership with the Chuncheon National Museum to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Australia and Korea. Supporters of the event include the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange, Korean Cultural Centre Australia and Australia-Korea Foundation, Department of Foreigh Affairs and Trade.
Five Hundred Arhats opens on December 2 for a five-month run. The exhibition's major sponsor is the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea with support from Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange, Korean Cultural Centre Australia and Australia-Korea Foundation, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. For more information on the exhibition and visiting the museum, head to the Powerhouse website.