DALLAS—Discover the color and energy of Tibetan art at a new exhibition at The Crow Collection of Asian Art. What is Tibetan Art? Selections from the Rubin Museum of Art traces the history, geography, art, culture and religion of Tibet, and is on display Sept. 15 through next April.

What is Tibetan Art? consists of both thankas and metalworks portraying the Buddha Shakyamuni, the Arhats (Buddha's great disciples), Bodhisattvas, guardians, the great teachers, and depictions of the Pure Lands.

Thankas are wall banners normally hung in monasteries or on family alters, and carried by lamas in ceremonial processions. They usually consist of images depicting history of the Buddha or retelling the myths of other deities. A thanka featuring White Tara, the goddess of compassion, will be among those on display.

Tibet has compromised different territories over its history—an empire stretching across north Asia in the 7th–8th centuries, divided into clan strongholds and around powerful monasteries, subject to pressure from outside armies, and now folded within the boundaries of various countries. The unifying element exists however, in their art throughout the years.

What is Tibetan Art? is from the collection of the Rubin Museum of Art in New York.

Home to extraordinary works of art whose origins span China, Japan, India and Southeast Asia, The Crow Collection of Asian Art is free to the public and marks a major cultural gift in the heart of the Dallas Arts District. Timeless works including a magnificent Japanese rock crystal sphere, exquisite Qing Dynasty jades and monumental Mughal-style architectural pieces are balanced alongside internationally recognized exhibitions that fulfill the museum's vision of bridging East and West. Free Noon Gallery Talks and Docent-Guided Tours are available weekly at select times.

Open Tues-Sunday 10 a.m.–5 p.m., extended hours on Thursdays until 9 p.m., 214.979.6430, www.crowcollection.org
Images available upon request.

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