PRIVATE COLLECTION

Jianguo Ren & Li Zhang’s Private Collection of Gandhara

Private Collection



Rochfort Gallery


JIANGUO REN & LI ZHANG
Private Collection of Gandhara

30 Jul - 6 Sep 2025
Ground Floor, 317 Pacific Highway, North Sydney NSW 2060

VIP PREVIEW
30 Jul - 1 Aug 2025
10 am - 6 pm

OPENING & MEET THE ARTIST
Saturday 2 Aug 2025
1 - 3 pm


CATALOGUE
Available soon


The Gandhara Collection: Introduction to Gandhara Art

The Gandhara Kingdom, which thrived from the 1st century BCE to the 5th century CE, holds a remarkable place in history as a cultural and artistic bridge between East and West. Nestled in a region that today covers parts of northern Pakistan and eastern Afghanistan, Gandhara stood at the heart of the ancient Silk Road—an essential artery of commerce and cultural exchange that connected the Hellenistic world, Central Asia, and the Indian subcontinent.

The Gandhara Kingdom, which thrived from the 1st century BCE to the 5th century CE, holds a remarkable place in history as a cultural and artistic bridge between East and West. Nestled in a region that today covers parts of northern Pakistan and eastern Afghanistan, Gandhara stood at the heart of the ancient Silk Road—an essential artery of commerce and cultural exchange that connected the Hellenistic world, Central Asia, and the Indian subcontinent.

It was within this unique setting that Gandharan art flourished, reaching its height under the patronage of the Kushan Empire (circa 30–375 CE). The Gandharan art is instantly recognisable for its masterful blend of Greco-Roman realism, Persian detail, and Indian spirituality. Sculptures from this period are particularly admired for their naturalistic drapery, serene and contemplative expressions, and finely carved narrative panels that bring to life episodes from the Buddha’s journey.

The collection presented here was carefully assembled and acquired around the 1960s and 1970s, the collection carries significant historical value and is considered one of the finest private holdings of Gandharan art. Many of its pieces are comparable in quality and importance to those housed in some of the world’s most respected institutions.

These exceptional pieces not only capture the artistic excellence of Gandhara but also reflect the spirit of cultural exchange that defined the ancient world. They offer us a rare and intimate window into a time when borders were fluid, ideas travelled freely, and art flourished at the intersection of great civilizations.


Date & Time
Saturday

2 August 2025

Start - 1:00 pm Saturday

6 September 2025

End - 6:00 pm Australia/Sydney
Location

Rochfort Gallery

317 Pacific Highway,
North Sydney NSW 2060
Australia
0422 039 834
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Organiser

Rochfort Gallery

0422 039 834
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