Innocent Asia - Tibet
Robin Maggs
25th April - 13th June

This exhibition presents a body of documentary photography, exploring portraits, landscape and architecture of the Tibetan people in their homeland. This selection of images is a fascinating insight and a brief testament to their way of life, to their peaceful nature and to the enlightenment that they are striving to achieve; they are a truly wondrous people.
‘The lost Shangri La’, Land of the Snowy Mountains - hidden away behind the mighty Himalayan range - Tibet and her people have long exercised a mystical grip on the imagination of the West. This is an enigmatic Buddhist kingdom, famous for its culture and people, isolated in their lofty realm, the highest plateau in the world.

Enduring an existence in Tibet has always been a great challenge for humans because of its high altitude and harsh arid environment. Often referred to as ‘the rooftop of the world’ this region has long fascinated outsiders. The skyline of the capital Lhasa is still dominated by the impressive white and ochre fortress - the Potala Palace. Once the seat of the Tibetan government and home to the tombs of the Dalai Lamas, It now serves as a symbolic focus for a nation in exile, during their ongoing battle for the right to freedom and self-government.

In comparison to countries closer to home that are trying to hold on to their culture and move with the times, a process of forced enculturation is stripping the people of Tibet of theirs. These Tibetans are no strangers to hardship, not least from their environment and isolation; the injustices of the Chinese occupation are eroding the Tibetan way of life, yet a more humbled and peaceful people you will not meet. Behind their devoted faces and inquisitive eyes they hide the suffering of their past, the hardship of their present and the uncertainty of their future.

The Dalai Lama, now living in exile in Dharamasala, India, said:
“The issue of Tibet is not nearly as simple as is sometimes made out. I believe that there are still widespread misunderstandings about Tibetan culture and what is happening inside and outside Tibet. Therefore, I welcome every opportunity for open minded people to discover what is the reality in Tibet for themselves.”
The Dalai Lama, September 15th 2004

For more information on the plight of Tibet and her people please visit the web site for the international campaign for Tibet: - www.savetibet.org

For more background information on Tibet go to the Office of the Dalai Lama in London: www.tibet.com