Untitled I

Date1977-78

Attributed to Jivya Soma Mashe Indian, 1934 - 2018

Label TextWarli is the name of the indigenous community located in the Thane district, which is a part of Western India about ninety miles from Mumbai. Prior to the 1970s, women painted on the mud walls of their homes. Artists then switched from wall decorations to paper under the guidance of the All India Handicrafts Board. In 1971, the Board’s director sent artist Bhaskar Kulkarni to visit the Warlis. Kulharni took a few artists to see the advances made by other communities at the Crafts Museum in Delhi. For example, the Board had already helped artists of the Mithila region to switch from wall painting to paper. The subject matter of Warli paintings remained consistent throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Artists such as Jivya Soma Mashe continued to paint the social life of the Warli community.

Object number2021.37.1

Provenance[Gallery Chemould, Mumbai, India]; purchased from gallery by Beth Burrows, Edmonds, Washington, 1978; to Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, Washington, 2021

Photo CreditPhoto: Scott Leen

Credit LineGift of Beth Elpern Burrows

Dimensions19 1/2 x 26 in. (49.5 x 66 cm)

MediumRice powder mixed with white paint on cow dung (mixed with adhesive-coated burlap)