A move to purchase fine art from at least three different Scottish artists has been delayed because the work did not fit West Dunbartonshire Council’s criteria.
Councillors were expected to approve the acquisition of several pieces of art by female artists on Monday morning during a special cultural committee but decided to postpone the decision to see if they could acquire work completed by women in the 21st century.
The local authority has recently added tens of thousands of pounds worth of drawings and paintings to its taxpayer-funded collection despite previously acknowledging that the investment could be negatively perceived when council budgets are “under pressure”.
Around £100,000 has been allocated from the council’s cultural capital fund which has allowed them to purchase 14 pieces of 20th century art. In December last year a further two drawings by SJ Peploe were also acquired.
During this morning’s cultural committee meeting, members were expected to approve funding to secure extra artwork from Scottish women artists such as Alison Watt, Christine McArthur, Jacki Parry, Kate Cameron and Mary Armour.
The council was also expected to try to obtain works by earlier 20th century artists including Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh and Francis Macdonald.
But in a surprising move members didn’t agree to these purchases because they did not fit the council’s 21st century, female artist criteria.
Independent councillor Baillie Dennis Agnew said: “I am going to ask for continuation of this report apart from the acquisition of the two colourist pictures by Peploe.
“I would say that the three other female artists, although they are very good artists, don't fit the criteria as they are not 21st century artists and I think in earlier reports it was quite clear that was the intention of the committee.
“With that adjustment and that continuation, I would put that forward to be agreed.”
Members of the committee unanimously agreed to this suggestion. A further report will be brought back at a later date.
