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St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art

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golondon
golondon
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5 out of 5
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2
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4
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Editor Pick

St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art

  • August 15, 2006
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Drever from Ayr
St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art

This unique museum explores the importance of religion in people's lives across the world and across time with Buddha, Ganesha, Shiva, amongst other spiritual leaders, saints, and historic figures treated equally. The themes of life, death and the afterlife are explored through works of art. Admission is free.

The museum promotes understanding and respect between people of different faiths. It has mesmerizing sculptures, pictures and displays on religious practices and festivals such as the Mexican Day of the Dead, as well as interactive exhibits on the effects of religion on Glasgow life. It is a one off chance to explore religion and art, the past and the present and learn how they interact, which in itself is quite a unique experience.

The building, which stands on the site of the medieval Bishop's Castle, was opened in April 1993 is intriguing both inside as out. The museum offers unrivalled views over both Glasgow Cathedral and the Necropolis, the dramatic 19th-century graveyard on the hill behind. In addition it is situated near Provand's Lordship, the oldest house in the city.

The main gallery is a double height room illuminated with a wealth of colours created by stained glass windows depicting Christian saints, include a depiction of St. Mungo himself, and prophets. Natural and artificial light is subtly controlled to unsure perfect illumination on the watercolour painting and textile floor covering.

There are three floors and four exhibitions areas: the Gallery of Religious Art, the Gallery of Religious Life, the Scottish Gallery and a temporary exhibition space. In the Gallery of Religious is the awesome figure of the Hindu god Shiva, Lord of the Dance. The Gallery of Religious Life explores the world's six main religions: Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism. In this gallery people of all religions talk about their faith, and you meet the Mexican Day of the Dead skeleton, celebrating the victory of life over death.

The Scottish Gallery presents the fascinating story of how religion has shaped the culture and beliefs of people in the West of Scotland from earliest times to the present. An outstanding collection of artefacts, including Celtic crosses and statuettes of Hindu gods, reflects the many religious groups that have settled throughout the centuries in Glasgow and the west of Scotland. This rich history is depicted in the stunning Sharing of Faiths Banner, which celebrates the city's many different faiths.

Beside the museum you can contemplate in Britain’s first permanent Zen garden, a masterpiece of simplicity, symbolising the harmony between people and nature. Zen is a Buddhist method of contemplation and is part of the tradition of Dyana (Chinese Ch’an, Japanese Zen), which depends on the simple life and a rejection of worldly pleasures and a return to nature. The stones, gravel and grass represent - in miniature - mountains, water and land and are meant to inspire contemplation. The layout of the garden derives from the unbroken tradition studied by Mr Tanaka in Kyoto, Japan.

From journal Glasgow, Medieval and Maritime

St. Mungo Museum of Religion

  • October 5, 2001
  • Rated 4 of 5 by golondon from McAllen, Texas
The St. Mungo Museum of Religion is housed in a new (1996) three-storey building that looks as old as the cathedral. It's big treasure is Dali's "Christ of St. John on the Cross" which has place of honor in the main ground floor room. The other exhibits are bits and pieces of all kinds of religions, but nothing very exciting. Be sure to take the elevator up to the second storey (their 1st floor) and look through the floor to ceiling window. The view of the Cathedral and the Victoria necropolis is magnificent. On the top floor, there is a small 'hands on' area where you can try on various religious head gear and make a rubbing of a Celtic cross.

From journal Glasgow .. Cool At Last

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