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Taryn Sorrells
Dr. Talia Shade
Art 1110
29 April 2019
Gallery Critique
On Friday, March 1, 2019 I decided to visit The Dayton Art Institute to begin my observation for

the Gallery Critique essay for Art Appreciation Class. I wasn’t sure what to expect once I entered

The Dayton Art Institute, but I admired every piece of collection I was able to see during my

visit. I knew it would be very difficult for me to decide what piece I would focus on for my

essay, that is until I visited the lower level gallery in the Institute. Located in the South Gallery is

the Patterson-Kettering Wing of Asian Art. The Asian Wing is my favorite section of the Dayton

Art Institute. The piece of art work I have decided to critique is called Tibetan Art. The Tibetan

art is in the Asian Wing. The Gallery Number is Gallery 114. Gallery #114, Tibetan Art (Tibeto-

Chinese).

Tibeto is a part of China with rugged mountains. Ancient Trade routes are between near east and

china, so Tibet’s people would not be isolated. Buddhism arrived in the 7th Century from India.

Lamas are Tibetan Monks. Buddhism is signified to Lama Buddhism. They have rituals and

native practices, which are sometimes animated. Its harsh terrain is sheltered in temples.

Landscapes of temples include vivid colors, stories, and gilt with thankas. Thankas are paintings

also includes statues. The Buddhist temples are temples of worship (D.A.I.).

Tibeto- Chinese. Quing dynast (1644- 1911) Mahamaya and Buddhadakini, 18th Century Gilt

bronze and semi-precious stones. Museum Purchase with funds provided by Mrs. Virginia W.

Kettering. Dimensions are 12 x 9 x 6 ½ inches. Acquisition date and number 1980.12(D.A.I.).

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The sculpture shows Mahamaya, a Buddhist Protector deity, embracing Buddhadakini, his

personified female energy force each of them has four faces and four arms, with hands holding

sacred objects. The objects are: A skull cup, arrow, and a bow. Their intimate embrace

symbolizes the supreme spiritual union of compassion and wisdom. Sacred Buddhist objects

could be stored in the hollow statue to assist with prayers seeking Mahamaya’s protection

(D.A.I).

I see a gold glit bronze sculpture of a Mahamaya Buddhist connected with four faces and four

arms. With a connection of legs. Crowns on top of the heads. Hands with jewelry on the wrist

and arms. Tiny heads on the shoulders. There are no shoes on the feet, just bare feet. In total

there are eight arms. The hands have skull cups, arrows, and a bow placed in them. Their ears are

gaged with earrings. The woman I believe to be Buddhadakini faces towards Mahamaya the

Buddhist protector. Buddhadakin’s face meets with Mahamaya’s face in a very intimate position.

Both bronze gold figures noses touch at the very tip or point of the nose. Their legs connect and

fold. His touches his inner leg with his big toe touching the lateral side of his leg. Hers wraps

around his waist with her foot positioned medially but in an upward position. Her other leg

connects with his leg. Both of their legs are bent.

Prominent Visual Elements within the composition of the Tibetan Art are; It is a sculpture; the

color is monochromatic because it varies in gold. It differs in weight, so it would be considered

asymmetry because it is different on each side. The Tibetan art can be measured as Hierarchical

Scale the piece represents the Buddhist protector Mahamaya and the Buddhadakini. It is a

Hierarchical Scale because the Buddhist protector indicates relative importance of Buddhism.

This piece has both positive and negative shape because the gold was both light and dark in

color.
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I enjoyed seeing statues of Buddhist, The Japanese Armor with the helmet, and suit. The silk

foreside with its trees, turtles, Japanese flowers, and swans. The statues of women and reading

about the importance of each piece of art I analyzed. During my visit at the Dayton Art Institute

an artist that stood out to me name Walter, Hatke, born in Topek, KS, 1948 created a piece with

an oil on linen medium. This piece was very beautiful to me. It included a house, trees, fence,

shed or tool room. The home had sunlight reflecting on it and the piece looked very realistic. The

piece did not have a title, but Walter Hatke provided the piece to the Dayton Art Institute. My

viewpoints on all of the artist at the Dayton Art Institute are that each artist is very talented and I

could see how driven and passionate the artist are when creating art. The emotion the stories that

are being shared in the art work I viewed was so unique. It was nice to see varieties of artist with

different art work.

My experience at the Dayton Art Institute allowed me to have more respect with art, it helped me

understand and prepare for the lessons and chapters I studied in class. Since I have not really

painted or made any art work in years I feel motivated enough to set aside time to be creative

again because its very relaxing and therapeutic for me, and I have always drawled to express my

ideas and feelings. The staff at the Museum were very helpful, I enjoyed stopping at the shop and

looking at the things that were on sale, I think it’s nice that there is a food area inside the art

museum. I also liked how nice the restrooms were as well. Overall, I really enjoyed my

experience at the Dayton Art Institute. I plan to take my children with me next time so that they

can enjoy the experience I had as well.