Jackson Dinsdale Art Center features Duncan, LeBaron collections in ‘Art of India’

(Hastings, Nebraska) – The Jackson Dinsdale Art Center (JDAC) at Hastings College invites the community to explore its newest exhibition, “Art of India,” which opens Thursday, January 15, in the JDAC’s West and East galleries.

The show features works drawn from the private collections of Kathryn and Marc LeBaron and Karen and Robert Duncan. 

A public reception will be held in the JDAC (700 E. 12th Street, Hastings) on Saturday, January 24, at 2:00 p.m. The reception and exhibition, which runs through Saturday, March 15, are free and open to the public. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

“Art of India” highlights the LeBaron and Duncan families' extensive travels. Guided by their friend Birgit Uccia, the couples visited leading galleries, art fairs and studios to acquire works that capture the region's spirit. 

The collection explores the unique intersection of India’s ancient civilization, folk arts, and modern societal dynamics.

Curated by Anne Pagel, the works reflect a country that is one-third the size of the United States but holds the world's largest population of 1.4 billion people.

In her curator’s note, Pagel explained that the artists in this collection grapple with complex realities. Their work addresses cultural hierarchies, the diverse identities of more than 700 tribal groups, gender inequities and environmental crises, including forced migration.

While these artists draw from personal, uniquely Indian experiences, they are also engaging in a global conversation. The result is a visual dialogue that blends the country's rich history of folk art with the pressing issues of today.