Decision details

Twenty-three Mithila paintings and works on paper, painted in the Mithila region of Bihar, India between 1971 and 2020. Created by multiple artists, their subjects cover the Hindu pantheon, sacraments of life and rich worldviews.

The acquisition of this collection will diversify existing collections, addressing gaps for contemporary Asian audiences in Ipswich and compliments two existing Mithila paintings already within the collection.

How does it meet Collections Development Policy:

This acquisition crosses over art, community history and world cultures collections and meets the following criteria.

Fine Art 5.2.4 Contemporary artworks by indigenous artists which add insight and perspective to the historical collections may be acquired.

Community History 5.7.1 Future acquisitions will reflect how people lived, worked and played in Ipswich over recent centuries. There will be a particular emphasis on: • Representing more diverse backgrounds – working-class people, disabled people, people of colour (and recognising crossover with World Cultures), diversity of cultures represented in Ipswich.

1.8 World Cultures 5.8.1 Material will only be added in exceptional circumstances if it meets one of the following criteria: objects collected before 1945 which fill a gap in the existing collection and the collector has a strong local connection, and modern (post1945) objects which provide additional insights into the existing collection.

To acquire the Minthila paintings and works.

Reason:

The acquisition of this collection will diversify existing collections, addressing gaps for contemporary Asian audiences in Ipswich and compliments two existing Mithila paintings already within the collection.