British Museum unveils female spiritual beings exhibit
A unique exhibition is set to open at the British Museum later this year that celebrates how femininity has been perceived across the globe through history.
The exhibit, titled Feminine power: the divine to the demonic, is the first of its kind to be showcased in the British museum.
The figures on display range from a Hindu goddess considered the master of death, to a magical Greek enchantress, as the exhibit explores women in both world belief and mythological traditions.
The exhibition includes representations of Lilieth, a character from Jewish mythology thought to be the first wife of Adam and later the consort of Satan, as well as Guanyin, the Chinese goddess of mercy.
The idea behind the exhibit is to bring together ancient sculptures, sacred artefacts and contemporary art from six continents to explore how femininity has been portrayed, and how it influenced the way we view women and their power today.
For the first time, the British Museum has invited special guest contributors to respond to the themes in the exhibition, sharing their personal and professional viewpoints.
The special guests include doctors, professors, activists, authors, lawyers and former members of the British Army, who will share their own stories of feminism, and how they have fought for the rights of women.
Muriel Gray, Deputy Chair of Trustees of the British Museum, said, “The Citi exhibition Feminine power: the divine to the demonic is brimming with magic, wisdom, fury and passion.”
“I am very proud that through the breadth and depth of the British Museum's collection, alongside special loans, we can tell such powerful and universal stories of faith and femininity from the most ancient cultures to living traditions around the world.
Following the display at the British Museum, the exhibition will be seen internationally, starting at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra.
Image credits: The Trustees of the British Museum