OUR MISSION

 Our organization recognizes the need to identify and highlight exceptional paintings found in historic sites of the South Asian region and to  translate into high quality photo imagery those  works of art which are artistically appealing, aesthetically pleasing, visually significant and thematically expressive and meaningful.

Our current focus is on paintings found in historic sites scattered across Sri Lanka. These are essentially ancient Buddhist temple paintings, some over 1000 years old. Exploring these sites, we have produced an assortment of photo images of these outstanding works of art focusing on those aspects of paintings that exhibit artistic mastery and aesthetic excellence. Among the historic sites covered are those designated by the UNESCO as World Heritage Sites.

Our work begins with the exploration and in-depth study of these paintings drawn on different surfaces - rock planes in cave temples, walls and ceilings in ancient buildings, wooden doors and structures, textile and earthenware, and using the photographic medium to capture and highlight special aspects and segments of these paintings that are of particular significance in terms of their artistic quality, aesthetic appeal and the expressive nature of depiction of their  thematic content.

The photographic imagery technique is ideal for and has been used effectively to capture, separate, blow-up, highlight and present these unique artistic highlights which are evident, in particular in the ancient paintings of the UNESCO designated World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka.

Using these photo imagery, and under specific themes, we have developed several groups of mounted exhibits which are presented in the form of exhibitions along with narrative scripts providing an outline of the highlights of each group of exhibits. Our exhibitions and other visual arts presentations based on South Asian paintings have been conceptualized and developed by us, in Canada.

We have generated a considerable amount of information and interpretations on these paintings through extensive literature reviews and investigations.

Our current photo exhibitions, related presentations and publications serve as a resource for those familiar with Sri Lankan Buddhist art and for those interested in learning more on the fascinating visual cultural heritage of Sri Lanka. Our ultimate aim is to encourage inquiry and to heighten public understanding and appreciation of this rich heritage.

Our exhibitions are places where people could see, appreciate and learn. They help to stimulate a sense of pleasure, pride and discovery, which provides an aesthetic challenge resulting in a greater cultural awareness and discernment. They will be sources of inspiration for artists of the future.

Our exhibitions are meant to serve as gathering places for the international community. They are opportunities for informed intercultural dialogue that celebrates both self-identity and pluralism. They enrich and broaden ones outlook and allows one to rejoice being a part of the global human community. This inevitably leads one to feel proud of being a Canadian, because our sense of Canadian identity derives from an understanding of our shared cultures and the richness of our collective histories.

We assume conservation as a primary responsibility and hold our collection of photo images of the South Asian region for future generations.

We aim for the highest standards of quality in all our endeavors.