Neighborhood Notes

Portlanders should be proud to know that the Portland Art Museum has demonstrated its high level of integrity and transparency in regard to the art pieces that it acquires. In September the museum acquired a sculpture of Ganesha Stele that had little historical art record to track its origins with. It is not the kind of art piece you can design after taking a class or two in sculpting, so the museum is not worried about an impostor taking claim. The museum director, Brian Ferriso, said "this is all about transparency". Brian Ferriso is a member of the Association of Art Museum Directors ("AAMD") that was developed as an oversight committee for controversial matters just like these.

The purpose of the AAMD, as stated on their website, is to support its members in increasing the contribution of art museums to society. The AAMD accomplishes this mission by establishing and maintaining the highest standards of professional practice; serving as forum for the exchange of information and ideas; acting as an advocate for its member art museums; and being a leader in shaping public discourse about the arts community and the role of art in society.

The Portland Art Museum has placed the Ganesha on the international AAMD website for potential people, organizations or governments to make claim to this great piece of art. If someone can prove the origins of the Ganesha and that person is the rightful owner, the museum will gladly return it.

I can think of some other organizations that would greatly benefit from this type of transparency. Kudos to the AAMD and Portland Art Museum for taking making the effort to validate their art acquisition practices. To view the piece in person, make a trip down to the Portland Museum of Art.

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