URL: https://democracy.ipswich.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1394

Decision Maker: Officer Decision

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: This decision relates to the approval of three loan requests for items in the Ipswich Borough Council museum collections. The loans to The Minories and the Sainsbury Centre are new requests and that to Woodbridge Museum is a renewal of an existing loan first made in 2013.   Reason for Decision The Minories, Colchester (IPSMG: LO.2025.06) Loan commences: 5 January 2026 Loan ends: 24 February 2026 Exhibition dates: 7 January 2026 – 22 February 2026   Prunella Clough (1919-99) ‘Sweetpack’, 1988, oil on canvas (IPSMG:R.2000.19.2) This work is requested for The Minories winter exhibition ‘Anglian Abstract’ which takes as its starting point a painting by Margaret Mellis (1914-2009) ‘Lilac Yellow’ in the Victor Batte-Lay Foundation collection held at The Minories. The exhibition celebrates the legacy of modernism in East Anglia through the work of twelve contemporary artists working in abstraction. These artists reflect the enduring impact of modernism and its evolution in contemporary art. The requested painting is currently in store and has not been out on loan for many years. The Minories is a very significant regional arts venue housing a significant art collection. This loan builds on the present close working relationship and supports the possibility of a reciprocal loan in due course.   Woodbridge Museum (IPSMG: LO.2025.05)   Loan commences: 5 January 2026 Loan ends: 1 January 2029   Exhibition dates: As above   1.    ‘William Draper of Woodbridge’ mug, transfer printed blue and white decoration, earthenware, dated 1812 (IPSMG:R.1926.8) 2.    ‘The Peace of Europe’ mug, transfer printed and polychrome painted, earthenware, dated 1814, made in Bristol (IPSMG:R.1945.97B.153) 3.    Large iron grapnel type anchor found in River Deben, at Debenham’ (IPSMG:R.2025.29)   These items have previously been on loan to Woodbridge Museum and are currently on display. Two of the items relate directly to the Woodbridge area and there are no current plans for display for any of the requested items at an Ipswich Museum venue. This loan supports a Suffolk Museum relatively close to Ipswich and forms part of the wider support offered to the county’s museum.   Sainsbury Centre, UEA (IPSMG:LO.2025.3)   Loan commences: 27 April 2026 Loan ends: 23 October 2026 Exhibition dates: 16 May – 4 October 2026   ‘Playing soldiers’ Colin Moss (1914-2005), 1978, oil on board (IPSMG:R.1982.46) This work is requested for a temporary exhibition ‘The Power of Play’. As part of a season on ‘What is the Meaning of Life?’, it will explore the concept of play in human cultures, examining its social, political, and cultural dimensions. By doing so, it aims to prompt visitors to reflect on the broader significance of play – whether in children or adults, whether recreational or ceremonial. ’The Power of Play’ seeks to demonstrate that, regardless of age or context, humans play because it is enjoyable – a universal and fundamental aspect of human experience. Ultimately, it asks how play is integrated into our lives, and whether we would live a more meaningful life if play were more central to our daily lives.   Ipswich Museums have lent to the Sainsbury Centre on several occasions in the past without any issues. This prestigious venue provides an opportunity of bringing the collections of Ipswich Borough Council before a wider public. The work requested is not required for exhibition at either Ipswich Museum, Christchurch Mansion or the Ipswich Art Gallery during the period of the loan and is currently in storage.

Content: This decision relates to the approval of three loan requests for items in the Ipswich Borough Council museum collections. The loans to The Minories and the Sainsbury Centre are new requests and that to Woodbridge Museum is a renewal of an existing loan first made in 2013.   Reason for Decision The Minories, Colchester (IPSMG: LO.2025.06) Loan commences: 5 January 2026 Loan ends: 24 February 2026 Exhibition dates: 7 January 2026 – 22 February 2026   Prunella Clough (1919-99) ‘Sweetpack’, 1988, oil on canvas (IPSMG:R.2000.19.2) This work is requested for The Minories winter exhibition ‘Anglian Abstract’ which takes as its starting point a painting by Margaret Mellis (1914-2009) ‘Lilac Yellow’ in the Victor Batte-Lay Foundation collection held at The Minories. The exhibition celebrates the legacy of modernism in East Anglia through the work of twelve contemporary artists working in abstraction. These artists reflect the enduring impact of modernism and its evolution in contemporary art. The requested painting is currently in store and has not been out on loan for many years. The Minories is a very significant regional arts venue housing a significant art collection. This loan builds on the present close working relationship and supports the possibility of a reciprocal loan in due course.   Woodbridge Museum (IPSMG: LO.2025.05)   Loan commences: 5 January 2026 Loan ends: 1 January 2029   Exhibition dates: As above   1.    ‘William Draper of Woodbridge’ mug, transfer printed blue and white decoration, earthenware, dated 1812 (IPSMG:R.1926.8) 2.    ‘The Peace of Europe’ mug, transfer printed and polychrome painted, earthenware, dated 1814, made in Bristol (IPSMG:R.1945.97B.153) 3.    Large iron grapnel type anchor found in River Deben, at Debenham’ (IPSMG:R.2025.29)   These items have previously been on loan to Woodbridge Museum and are currently on display. Two of the items relate directly to the Woodbridge area and there are no current plans for display for any of the requested items at an Ipswich Museum venue. This loan supports a Suffolk Museum relatively close to Ipswich and forms part of the wider support offered to the county’s museum.   Sainsbury Centre, UEA (IPSMG:LO.2025.3)   Loan commences: 27 April 2026 Loan ends: 23 October 2026 Exhibition dates: 16 May – 4 October 2026   ‘Playing soldiers’ Colin Moss (1914-2005), 1978, oil on board (IPSMG:R.1982.46) This work is requested for a temporary exhibition ‘The Power of Play’. As part of a season on ‘What is the Meaning of Life?’, it will explore the concept of play in human cultures, examining its social, political, and cultural dimensions. By doing so, it aims to prompt visitors to reflect on the broader significance of play – whether in children or adults, whether recreational or ceremonial. ’The Power of Play’ seeks to demonstrate that, regardless of age or context, humans play because it is enjoyable – a universal and fundamental aspect of human experience. Ultimately, it asks how play is integrated into our lives, and whether we would live a more meaningful life if play were more central to our daily lives.   Ipswich Museums have lent to the Sainsbury Centre on several occasions in the past without any issues. This prestigious venue provides an opportunity of bringing the collections of Ipswich Borough Council before a wider public. The work requested is not required for exhibition at either Ipswich Museum, Christchurch Mansion or the Ipswich Art Gallery during the period of the loan and is currently in storage. To approve the 3 loans.   Reason: To build on working relationships with other museums and to allow for the Ipswich Borough Collections to be seen by the wider public.

Date of Decision: December 1, 2025