An exhibition featuring Madhubani art from the Mithila region of the Indian state of Bihar, photographed by California State University, Fresno art professor Joan Sharma is on display through April 9 in university’s Henry Madden Library.
The exhibit, “Madhubani: Mithila Artists,” showcases 16 color photos and five framed paintings by the artists. It is mounted in the Peter P. Peters Balcony Ellipse Gallery on the third floor of the library’s Table Mountain Rancheria Tower.
A documentary film introduces exhibit goers to the artists and their work from one of Sharma’s trips to the region, which is in northeastern India near the border with Nepal.
The tradition of painting murals inside and outside Madhubani homes is rapidly vanishing, even as the art form continues to evolve, she explained. Madhubani art is an ancient form traditionally created by women.
“Art in this region has empowered rural women and given them recognition in their family and society,” Sharma said.
Sharma recently published a collection of photographs documenting the Madhubani artists in Mithila. She also will lead an art workshop and tour to India from Dec. 27 to Jan. 10 that will focus on Madhubani work and the artists.
Sharma received a master’s degree from Indiana University and her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Temple University’s, Tyler School of Art. She has traveled extensively throughout Europe and India.
For more information, contact Sharma at jksharma@csufresno.edu or 559.278.2707.
(Copy by University Communications news intern Sadie Thomas)
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