Discovering Mithila from the Villages of India

By Patter Hellstrom

Today Decorati guest blogger Patter Hellstrom takes us on an art tour of India.

Exploring India’s diversity, culture and history though its visual art made my first visit fascinating. As a guest artist of the Mithila Art Institute, I addressed students in western ideas of color theory. It proved to be a remarkable experience. Contemporary Indian art was at the forefront in the studios and galleries I visited in New Delhi. Exploring Delhi’s historical landmarks encouraged me to see India’s rich past and growing future. Next stop,

the Mithila Art Institute in Madhubani, Bihar. The Mithila area is comprised of villages close to the Nepal border. This remote region has been the unlikely home for intellectual and artistic activity for centuries. There, women artists have painted in a captivating linear style expressing themes from the Ramayana. Now, within this tradition artists are inspired by contemporary world events, through news broadcasts from BBC Radio.

Continuing on my journey, Indian’s mughal dynasty came to life in the stunning architecture and intricate design elements seen in Agra. The melodic serenity of the Islamic call to prayer washed over me while I was dazzled by the Islamic calligraphic designs intermingled with Hindu elements.

A sense of India’s tremendous diversity informs and enlivens my work. Buddhist roots in Bihar, enriched the existing spiritual sensibility. The experience of India continues to unfold as the paintings grow in size, vigor and vibrancy of color.

Discovering Mithila just became easier with three California shows. In Los Angles, California Craft and Folk Museum launched “Ancient Gods and Modern Politics: Mithila Painting” on April 11^th. Wine country’s Petaluma Arts Council presents “A Feast of Color: Embroidery And Painting From The Villages Of India” through June 7^th. In San Francisco, “Shalinee Kumari: American Debut” opens at the FreyNorris gallery on June 18^th. Ms. Kumari incorporates themes of global warming, terrorism, world financial crisis and feminism into her authentic Mithila style.

Patter Hellstrom is a San Francisco based artist whose abstract works on paper are exhibited by galleries in both New York and San Francisco. In addition to her art, she is also a business entrepreneur. Along with her partner Peter Zirnis on the east coast, they own Hellstrom+Zirnis LLC which works with developers