Rubin Museum of Art

Spiral

Perspectives at the intersection of art, science, and Himalayan cultures
headshot of amrit karki next to landscape of Ladakh
April 30, 2026 Amrit Karki Will Present New Work at the 2026 sā Ladakh Biennale
This summer the Rubin will participate as an art partner at the 2026 sā Ladakh Biennale, supporting the creation of a new work by Nepalese artist Amrit Karki
News & Events
An adult woman sits in front of a tall, brightly colored statue of Kaal Bhairava in Durbar Square
Visiting Kaal Bhairava Resurfaces Personal and Collective Myths
Reflecting on the relationship between fear and anger, a writer develops an unexpected connection to a centuries-old statue in Kathmandu
Personal Perspectives
Medical Painting on Prophylactics, Diagnosis, and Therapeutic Principles, Illustration to the Medical Treatise the Blue Beryl, chapters 23-28; Central Tibet
Mindfulness Meditation with Elaine Retholtz
Theme: Open-Mindedness
PodcastsMindfulness Meditation
An adult man with grey hair and black glasses hands a paper with Tibetan calligraphy to another adult
Tibetan Calligraphy Day and the Everyday
Jamyang Dorjee’s masterful art is part of his Buddhist practice and mission to promote Tibetan calligraphy and culture
Traditional Himalayan ArtHolidaysContemporary Himalayan Life
Page of the Perfection of Wisdom (Prajnaparamita) Sutra Manuscript
Mindfulness Meditation with Kimberly Brown
Theme: Open-Mindedness
PodcastsMindfulness Meditation
The Earth Demands Our Accountability
A journalist explores what happens when the earth refuses to put up with human exploitation
Environment
Atisha (982-1054)
Mindfulness Meditation with Lavina Shamdasani
Theme: Open-Mindedness
PodcastsMindfulness Meditation
Two adult men each hold one end of a painting, carrying it toward a wall
The Art of Collaboration
A behind-the-scenes look at the Himalayan Art Up Close video series
Behind the ScenesArt Up Close
Drum (Nga)
Mindfulness Meditation with Tracy Cochran
Theme: Open-Mindedness
PodcastsMindfulness Meditation
Hayagriva with consort in the Rubin Museum Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room
Flaming, Fanged, and Fierce: Wrathful Deities in the Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room
These ferocious figures symbolize protection and compassion throughout Himalayan art
BuddhismTraditional Himalayan Art
Makzor Gyelmo, Queen Who Repels Armies
Mindfulness Meditation with Reverend Doyeon Park
Theme: Fierce Compassion
PodcastsMindfulness Meditation
Black Cloak Mahakala, Wrathful Protector Deity
A puzzling artwork in the Rubin Museum’s collection sparks questions about authorship, style, and more
Traditional Himalayan Art
Vajravarahi
Mindfulness Meditation with Jon Aaron
Theme: Fierce Compassion
PodcastsMindfulness Meditation
Bringing Students to Gateway to Himalayan Art
An art history professor reflects on how the exhibition helped his class learn more about Himalayan art and Buddhism
Scholarly PerspectivesTraditional Himalayan Art
Six-Armed Mahakala
Mindfulness Meditation with Elaine Retholtz
Theme: Fierce Compassion
PodcastsMindfulness Meditation
painting of a cloud with various animal heads emerging and abstract shapes made of human-like forms scattered across the canvas
Uuriintuya Dagvasambuu Plays with Color and Rhythm
The Mongolian artist reflects on her inspirations, creative process, and connections to the Rubin
InterviewsContemporary Art Forms
Wrathful Activity, Fierce Energy
Mindfulness Meditation with Michel Pascal
Theme: Fierce Compassion
PodcastsMindfulness Meditation
student holding an artwork in progress
Cultivating Compassion: Mandala Lab in Your Classroom
Teaching emotional awareness to students through Himalayan art and its insights
Behind the Scenes
Tree (Field) of Refuge for Geluk Tibetan Buddhist Tradition
Mindfulness Meditation with Kimberly Brown
Theme: Loving Future
PodcastsMindfulness Meditation
A Viewer’s Guide to Wrathful Iconography in Himalayan Art
Learning the visual and symbolic language of the flames, skulls, weapons, and more
BuddhismTraditional Himalayan Art
Vasudhara and Hvashang
Mindfulness Meditation with Rebecca Li
Theme: Loving Future
PodcastsMindfulness Meditation
split image of a detail of Makzor Gyelmo, Queen Who Repels Armies on the left and a blue background with "Makzor Gyelmo, Queen Who Repels Armies" in white text on the right
Himalayan Art Up Close: Makzor Gyelmo, Queen Who Repels Armies
Dr. Karl Debreczeny and Dr. Beth Harris examine a masterfully made appliqué depicting a Tibetan female protector deity
Himalayan Art Up Close
split image of a detail of Padmasambhava, his eight manifestations, and scenes from his life on the left and a blue background with "Padmasambhava, His Eight Manifestations, and Scenes from His Life" in white text on the right
Himalayan Art Up Close: Padmasambhava and His Eight Manifestations
Rubin Museum Senior Curator Dr. Elena Pakhoutova and Smarthistory’s Dr. Steven Zucker explain the Eight Manifestations of Padmasambhava through a painting of the Indian Buddhist master
Himalayan Art Up Close
split image of a sculpture of Parvati on the left and a blue background with "Kashmira" in white text on the right
Himalayan Art Up Close: Kashmira
Dr. Elena Pakhoutova and Smarthistory’s Dr. Steven Zucker look at a beautiful sculpture of the Hindu goddess Kashmira
Himalayan Art Up Close
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