Xenia-June Stafford is an internationally inspired artist who is currently living and studying in Montreal. She was born in Sydney, Australia to a Swedish father, and a Sri Lankan mother who were raised very much like she was - all over the globe. Her father was raised in Africa, and her mother in North America. Xenia and her brother were raised in Asia; Singapore mainly, as well as Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Thailand. After which Xenia spent some time living and painting in Munich before moving to Montreal, where she is currently enrolled at McGill studying political science. 

Xenia's paintings are highly influenced by images of poverty, and strong cultural identities - due to her upbringing in Asia and her opportunity to see the world at a very young age. One of the predominant themes in her work is the strength of people who live side by side with famine, hardship, and abuse - yet somehow find the joy in the simplicities of life. Her work highlights the light next to the dark. It is this very light that too many ignore; instead they thrive on the dark. She says that she doesn't seek to prove anything through her work, instead she wants to capture the portraits of Poverty that she knows - the portraits of damaged women fighting for a voice, and of inspired children too aware of the weight of the world.

Through all her travels, and the opportunities she has had to work side by side with many ethnic entities, her art has developed, perhaps even lightened in intensity, and taught her to enjoy her chance to create, inspire, and grow.

The Orphanage

The Sri Lankadhara Society, is the orphanage that Xenia donates 10% of her earnings to. It was founded in 1922 by the late Dr. W. A. De Silva - also Xenia's great uncle, and his wife. They donated the premises in Colombo, Sri Lanka originally to shelter marginalized single mothers and to look after abandoned, helpless, and destitute children. They dedicated their time, energy and finances to promote education and provide a home for the abandoned girls. Over the years the services were extended to elderly ladies and a Senior Citizens Home was started a few years later, as well as an Infant's home. Sri Lankadhara continues the humanitarian task of caring and nurturing these abandoned individuals, and still needs your generous support.