Museums are a place for wonder, education, and often transformation. While in Dallas we visited the Dallas Art Museum with the grandchildren. Their last trip was 4 years ago. The Girls are next to a fabulous “Shakyamuni Buddha”, a 14th century sculpture from Thailand. I am always fascinated by how art is acquired by museums. I kept noticing “Gift of David T. Owsley” on many of the labels of fabulous pieces in the Asian Art Department of the museum. I thought, “Who is this person?” The video below tells the story of this amazing man and his generosity to many museums around the country.

Marla and the Girls next to the same statue in 2019.

They are checking out a modern installation.

A video art presentation combined martial arts and dance.

A large silver decorated piece from India was very beautiful.

The girls still remember seeing the mummy and sarcophagus at age 4 in pre-school.

A wall of Cambodian sculptures and artifacts.

Dramatic 12th century “Avalokiteshvara” carved from gray sandstone from Kampuchea (Cambodia), Angkor Wat period. The sculpture reflects one of the finest eras of the temple building and decoration in the Khmer city of Angkor. Gift of David T. Owsley.

I am enthralled with this seated 15th century bronze Buddha from Thailand. A gift of David T. Owsley.

Marla absolutely loved this Buddha sculpture from Japan.

A bronze and gilded figure of famous Japanese Samurai, Yoshitsune, from the Meiji period (1868-1912).

Beautiful carved wood sculpture of “Benzaiten” from 1704. Benzaiten, or Benten, as the goddess is called in Japan, is a Japanese version of Sarasvati, the Hindu goddess of music, poetry, learning, and the performing arts. She is thought to be one of the seven lucky gods, who brought prosperity and good fortune to their followers.

I was taken by this pair of male and female ancestor figures from the Sunda Islands in Indonesia.

Happy museum goers!

A very large bronze sculpture of “Takenouchi no Sukune Meets the Dragon King of the Sea.” Meiji period. This was first displayed at an industrial fair in Toyko in 1881 and then to great acclaim at an international exhibition at South Kensington, London.

Beautiful 17th century Crowned Buddha head from Ayutthaya, Thailand. Gift of David T. Owsley.

The very large wooden carved headdress (D’mba) was used in ceremonies in the late 19th – early 20th century in Guinea by the Baga peoples.

After a long day at the museum it is time for a little fun on chairs at the entrance to the nearby Nasher museum.

Photos: Dick Gentry. Not to be used without permission.