GREENWICH, CT.- The Bruce Museum of Arts and Science in Greenwich, Connecticut, explores the complexity, symbolism and vitality of feminine imagery in Tibetan religious art in the exhibition Female Buddhas: Women of Enlightenment in Tibetan Mysticism. From July 2, 2005, through October 16, 2005, the Bruce Museum will exhibit a selection of 30 works dating from the 14th century to modern times, drawn from the permanent collection of the newly opened Rubin Museum of Art in New York City. The exhibition is supported by the Charles M. and Deborah Royce Exhibition Fund.

Female Buddhas: Women of Enlightenment in Tibetan Mysticism will give Bruce Museum visitors an opportunity to see an array of seldom-viewed Tibetan paintings that celebrate humanity’s efforts at spiritual perfection. The works collected are strong both in their artistry and content. Stretching over five centuries, these works represent one of the most complete collections of Himalayan art assembled in the United States. In many shamanic traditions, the dominant role of healer, peacemaker, and creator of social and environmental harmony often fell to the female mystic. In Tibetan Buddhism, with its roots in the shamanistic and unseen world of gods, demons and spirits, women play a major role.

Ancient Tibetan culture was matriarchal in its spirituality, and this is reflected throughout the exhibition. At times, the female Buddha is shown naked and dancing as a metaphor for uncontrived exposure to the nature of truth. The female Buddha is often depicted in a range of vibrant colors. For example, Arya Tara, who is one of the most popular female Buddhas in Tibet and may be regarded as Mother of all Buddhas, may be depicted as green, the color of energy that is the source of all matter. The brilliance of the colors often underscores the nightmarish themes dealing unflinchingly with the nature of the human condition, including sex, death, violence and eternity. For Museum visitors whose familiarity with religious iconography is rooted in Western traditions, Female Buddhas provides an unprecedented opportunity to view one of the many different paths humankind has taken to achieving spiritual aims. For visitors more familiar with Buddhism and Buddhist art of India and Japan, the prominence and depiction of women deities will be a revelation.

This collaboration between the Bruce Museum and Rubin Museum of Art also will include complimentary general admission for members of both institutions. Throughout the course of the exhibition, Bruce Museum members will be admitted free to the Rubin Museum of Art in New York City, and RMA members will receive free general admission to the Bruce.

RMA (Rubin Museum of Art) opened its doors to the public on October 2, 2004. The museum’s mission is to establish, present, preserve, and document a permanent collection that reflects the vitality, complexity, and historical significance of Himalayan art and to create exhibitions and programs designed to explore connections with other world cultures. Founded by Shelley and Donald Rubin; the museum reflects their intent to make Himalayan art accessible to a wide audience. Prior to founding the Museum, the Rubins established a virtual museum on the internet for studying Himalayan art - www.himalayanart.org. A related exhibition, titled Female Buddhas: Women of Enlightenment in Himalayan Art, is on view at RMA from June 4, 2005, through January 15, 2006. The RMA is located at 150 West 17th Street, in the Chelsea section of New York City. Visit their website at www.rmanyc.org.