(Re)Generations: Rina Banerjee, Byron Kim, and Howardena Pindell amid the Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection | Asia Society

(Re)Generations: Rina Banerjee, Byron Kim, and Howardena Pindell amid the Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection

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This exhibition reintroduces key works in Asia Society Museum's Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection of pre-modern Asian art through the lenses of three leading contemporary artists: Rina Banerjee, Byron Kim, and Howardena Pindell. Each artist has selected a number of works in the collection within which to situate their own new and existing works, approaching historic objects in the collection through their practices and from multiple cultures, heritages, and positions. Creating dialogues across multiple histories and places, these artists offer a range of new insights and entry points into the collection. 

Circular image with several colorful objects in pinks, turquoise, gold and green and sepia tones, including photographs of buildings, green hilly landscape and an ornamental edifice converge inward and surround an image of an Indian woman who herself is flanked by elephants and golden lamps.

Howardena Pindell. Autobiography: India (Lakshmi), 1984. Mixed media collage on paper. 18 x 20 1/2 x 2 inches (45.7 x 52.1 x 5.1 cm). Courtesy of the artist and Garth Greenan Gallery, New York.

Rectangular shaped with uneven edges, this page shows multiple characters. In the center, a multi-headed figure with a sword is engaged in battle with two figures to the left who are being held up by a third figure. On the .

Folio from a Bhagavata Purana Manuscript: Battle Between Krishna and the Fire-Headed Demon Mura (detail), about 1500-1540. India, Rajasthan or Uttar Pradesh. Opaque watercolor and ink on paper. H. 7 x W. 9 in. (17.8 x 22.9 cm). Asia Society, New York: Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection, 1979.55. Provenance: John D. Rockefeller 3rd, New York, NY; acquired from The Heeramaneck Gallery, New York, NY, 1970. The Asia Society, New York, NY, bequest of John D. Rockefeller 3rd, 1979.

A doll-like figure is dressed in a brown and pink fitted jacket, full skirt of red, gold, and green and a large brown hat with pink flowers and white and orange ribbon and thread. The figure appears to be a woman and is holding what looks like an elephant tusk. She stands atop dark, brassy colored beast-like feet.

Rina Banerjee. Native, migrant naturally, 2018. Vintage silk wedding sari with gold thread brocade, vintage brass claw furniture cap, steel, copper leaf, copper nails, wood, silk, cotton, sequins, gourd, polyester threads, wax, cowry shells, Victorian doll, eyelashes, silk trim, pheasant feathers on felt hat plates. 26 x 13 x 24 in (66 x 33 x 61 cm). Courtesy of artist and Pippy Houldsworth. 

 

 

A terracotta-colored figure stands with legs apart atop an inverted-bowl-shaped object. He is bare chested and wears a pointy hat, a necklace, an apron-like garment, and pants. He has no feet or hands and his arms are fused at his sides.

Figure of a Man. Japan, Ibaraki Prefecture, Tumulus period, 6th-7th century. Earthenware with traces of pigment. H. 56 x W. 21 x D. 11 in. (142.2 x 53.34 x 27.94 cm). Asia Society, New York: Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection, 1979.199.

 

Multiples of small vertical solid-colored panels in various shades of browns, tans, peaches, and pinks form a grid.

Byron Kim. Synecdoche (detail), 1991-present. Oil and wax on panel. 256 panels, each: H. 8 x W. 10 in. (20.3.x 25.4 cm) Overall dimensions variable. Byron Kim 2024. Courtesy the artist and James Cohan, New York. Photograph by Dennis Cowley.

Head mounted on black stand. Eyes look downards, mouth is closed, ear lobes are stretched vertically, a bun-like protrusion (ushnisha) is mounted high up at the back of the head. The head is colored in deeper browns and lighter burnt orange and cream, showing years of pigment displacement.

Head of a Bodhisattva, Perhaps Mahasthamaprapta, Early 8th century. North China. Limestone with traces of pigment. H. 13 x W. 7 x D. 9 1/2 in. (33 x 17.78 x 24.13 cm). Asia Society, New York: Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection, 1979.115.

 

Descent of Buddha Amida Japan Kamakura period, late 13th century Hanging scroll; ink, color and gold on silk H. 38¾ x W. 16½ in. (98.4 x 41.9 cm) Asia Society, New York: Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection, 1979.191

Amida Raigo (Descent of Buddha Amitabha) detail, late 13th century. Japan. Hanging scroll (detail); ink, color, and gold on silk. Image only, H. 38 3/4 x W. 16 1/2 in. (98.4 x 41.9 cm). Asia Society, New York: Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection, 1979.191.