The Pluralism Project at Harvard University

Five Faiths Project

The Ackland Art Museum
University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill

From the Permanent Collection of the Ackland Art Museum

The Ackland Art Museum's culturally diverse collections include many objects originally made for use in a religious context. In talking with visitors of all ages about such objects, museum educators have found that conversations about world religions develop quite naturally. The museum setting seems to invite consideration of the unfamiliar -- without triggering the defensiveness that sometimes arises when discussing religious issues.

The art objects, by their very presence, assert that all people do not follow the same belief system. They also stimulate questions. Visitors frequently ask: "Who is that lady in the blue dress?"..."Why does the Buddha have such long ear lobes?"... or "How did Ganesha end up with an elephant's head?" Such opening questions often lead to substantive conversations about the beliefs and practices of the various religions represented.

Below are some of the works of art that the Ackland is featuring in its "Five Faiths Project." Educators are invited to inquire about curricular resources the Ackland is developing to support learning about world religions. For an example, please visit Krishna in Context. Contact: Caroline Wood/ Ackland Art Museum/ CB#3400, UNC-CH/ Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3400

Enthroned Madonna and Child with Saints Workshop of Christoforo Di Bindoccio and Meo Di Pero Italian, Sienna, active late 14th–15th centuries	The Stigmatization of Saint Francis Vicente Carducho, Spanish, born in Italy, 1576/78–1638
The Sorrowing Virgin Circle of Jose de Mora, Spanish, 1642–1724	The Goddess Pavarti copper and bronze, 12th century South Indian, Chola Period (c. 850–1310 A.D.)
Ganesha sandstone, 11th–12th century Central Indian	Head of Buddha gilt bronze Thai, Sukhothai Period (c. 1250–1378)
Buddha Calling the Earth to Witness andagu stone (pyrophilite) Burmese, Myanmar, probably Pagan, around the 13th century	Fittings for a Bronze Vessel: Naga bronze Cambodian, Khmer culture, second Angkor Period (1002–1201)
Prayer Mat silk embroidery on quilted cotton North Indian, Mughal, 18th century	Koran with Laquer Binding Persian, 1828
Hindu Priest Worshipping at the Shrine of Shri-Nath-Ji opaque watercolor, gold and silver, about 1840 Indian, Rajasthan region, state of Kota