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- Foreword
We as Canadians tend to have little knowledge or understanding of Tibet, its cultural traditions and artistic heritage. Few have had the opportunity to travel to Tibet and see the art, experience the customs and meet the people. Perhaps best known is the work and visions of the most recent Nobel Peace Prize Winner�the Dalai Lama.
The art of Tibet to a great degree revolves around and is rooted in their religion � Buddhism. The paintings, thankas, the sculptures and carvings, the ritual objects, utilitarian objects and jewellery together underline this fundamental orientation, and examples of each are included in this exhibition.
Art From the Roof of the World: Tibet is the first such exhibition in Canada. We hope that with the mounting and circulation of the exhibition and publication that our collective knowledge and understanding of this rich artistic tradition will be deeper. The scope of this introduction to nine centuries of Tibetan art is purposefully broad, the goal being to develop a sound framework for future research, publications and exhibitions.
To undertake this initial project took patience, courage, knowledge and much support from lenders and critics. I would like to extend my appreciation and congratulations to Barry Till, Curator of Asian Art at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. This exhibition has been a vision of his for many years. For assisting him in making it a reality I would like to thank Paula Swart for her research assistance; the Gallery staff for their single and collective expertise and of course, all the lenders, public and private. For funding, special thanks and recognition go to the Museums Assistance Programme of the Department of Communications of Canada who have assisted in each stage of the project and its development.
Patricia E. Bovey, Director October 1989
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