Shan Buddha, Northern Burma, late 19th/early20th century (photo Graeme Douglas/SADACC)

It is expected that the Trust’s affiliation to the UEA’s Sainsbury Institute for Art (SIfA) will lead to the development of a South Asian centre and museum, along similar lines to the Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures, which is part of SIfA.

The collection, currently containing approximately 4000 items, is housed in a restored Victorian skating rink in Norwich.  The Trust was established in 2010 by Philip and Jeannie Millward, who set up the retail business Country & Eastern, selling traditional decorative furnishings from countries extending from Turkey to East of Java, more than 30 years ago.  The collection is a result of their many journeys through South Asia since the 1970’s, together with purchases from auction houses and other sources in the UK.

The SADACC Trust aims to conserve and promote interest in the arts, crafts and culture of South Asia, and neighbouring regions such as Afghanistan, Burma, Thailand and Indonesia, particularly in light of the decline of many of the traditional crafts of these areas due to rapid globalization.  Over the last two years the SADACC Trust has developed study and library facilities at the site on Bethel Street, along with a new exhibition gallery adjacent to the main hall area. To date, these developments have been funded by Country & Eastern, and the retail business will continue unchanged.

Under the new collaboration, it is planned to upgrade support facilities for public and academic events held in the building and SIfA and SADACC will join forces to stage rotating exhibitions based on the collection.  Associated research and educational activities are also planned. 

A recent assessment of the collection by the UEA found that its emphasis on furniture and architectural items indigenous to South Asia makes it unique in the UK.

Chairman of SIfA, Prof John Mack, said: “We are delighted at UEA that such generous local patrons have so willingly encouraged an expansion in the range of activities and educational opportunities in the city and to our students at the university.  The work we have been doing together over the past years shows what potential a relationship such as this can realise.”

Mr Millward said:  “We have worked with the UEA on an ad hoc basis for many years, and this will formalize the relationship.  It will make the SADACC collection more available as an educational resource, and hopefully secure a long-term future for the collection and this iconic building, with public access guaranteed.  The appointment of a Collection Curator a year ago is proving successful, and many groups from around the Eastern region have availed themselves of the tours, talks and exhibitions.

“One of the prime objectives is to develop contacts and ties with academic and other institutions in South Asia.  This will hopefully create relationships and introductions into an area which is fast becoming an economic giant of the 21^st century.”

The Sainsbury Institute for Art incorporates the School of Art History and World Art Studies, the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, the Sainsbury Research Unit for the Arts of Africa, Oceania and the Americas, and the Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures.