Purpose

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.

Decision

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.