China's Seated Guanyin Analysis

China’s Seated Guanyin is a12th century sculptural representation of the bodhisattva Guanyin. Presented as a gift from Ruth and Bruce Dayton to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, this wood, gesso, and polychrome sculpture features the bodhisattva Guanyin resting atop a large stone pedestal. The statue expresses the story of Guanyin as well emphasize the religious, symbolic interaction between the viewer and the subject in regard to specifically how the layers of multiculturalism and religion influenced Chinese society and perspective. Upon viewing, the viewer notices the height, craft, and subject matter of the statue. Being nearly life-size, this sculpture demands the viewer to look up at the calm bodhisattva atop the crag-filled, rocky pedestal.

As with many pieces, this sculpture contains both symbolism and a narrative that reference a specific religion - in this case, Buddhism. These ideas strengthen the bond between the viewer and Seated Guanyin because while many people may not understand the entire context of the piece, they can pick up clues and emotions that the work emits. While explaining the role of the viewer in his article “Art and the Educated Audience” James O. Young writes that the only condition required to become the audience is to benefit from the aesthetic value of the art. Essentially, this means that an audience member is to be open to the piece and allow it to affect oneself in any format, such as religious inspiration, philosophical thought, or artistic awakening. Despite this art piece consisting of a spiritual story, the audience for it does not necessarily apply solely to Buddhism. Without context of the work’s spiritual connections or original purpose and relying solely on visual analysis, Seated Guanyin plays with the idea of emulating life. For example, the sculptor 's choice of utilizing a highly naturalistic pose where Guanyin rests casually atop the stone, leaning on one arm and sitting asymmetrically feels incredibly humanistic and mirrors reality. Human beings do not always sit with perfect, symmetrical posture. By replicating human posture, the sculptor makes the piece more relatable, and thus, more life-like. With religious context, this idea ties into the definition of the bodhisattva, who is defined as one who has reached the point to achieve Nirvana, but chooses to remain in this world in order to help others attain enlightenment. Through this, the sculptor mirrors the idea of the bodhisattva, where the statue echoes the concept of life in order to help relay the meaning behind