Art Institute of Chicago Returns Stolen Buddha to Nepal, Strengthening Cultural Ties
- ArtMoments2024
- Mar 12
- 1 min read
The Art Institute of Chicago (AIC) has repatriated Buddha Sheltered by the Serpent King Muchalinda to Nepal, acknowledging its theft from Guita Bahi in the Kathmandu Valley. The 12th-century statue, which had been on display since 1997, was returned following extensive provenance research and collaboration with Nepalese officials. Nepal’s government welcomed the move, emphasizing the statue’s cultural significance in preserving heritage and community identity. This repatriation reflects a growing trend of museums addressing problematic acquisitions, with the AIC reinforcing its commitment to ethical stewardship and international cooperation.
Exhibitions
 Celebrating 50 years of the Jakarta Biennale, featuring international visual arts, with an opening on October 1 - November 15, 2024, at Selasar Galeri Emiria Soenassa, Taman Ismail Marzuki, showcasing performances and music by various artists and communities, and free for the public. |  "PANORAMA: Radetyo Itok," a solo exhibition by Radetyo Itok, curated by Rizki A. Zaelani and officiated by Yudi Wanandi, explores imaginative expressions of daily life experiences through a series of artworks, running from October 2 to November 2, 2024, at Galeri ZEN1 in Jakarta. |  "THE QUEST," a solo exhibition by Samsul Arifin, showcases his journey through paintings and installations featuring fabric dolls and pencils, exploring the unpredictability of life and the importance of roots and spiritual guidance, from October 1 to October 31, 2024, at Nadi Gallery in Jakarta. |
