The Story of Leo & Zoe
Leo & Zoe
Leo and Zoe are brother and sister, both thirteen years old, and belong to the ancient Tibetan breed Lhasa Apso, known for its long coat and its attentive, observant character.
Curious, patient and occasionally mischievous, they move through the world with a quiet dignity that seems to carry a long history with it. Their personalities—gentle, watchful and sometimes unexpectedly heroic—inspire a visual world in which imagination and art meet.
In this project, Leo and Zoe become the starting point for images where everyday moments transform into something playful, poetic or surprising. Through small acts of visual transformation, the two dogs step into unexpected roles—explorers, knights, dreamers and companions.
An Ancient Tibetan Companion
The Lhasa Apso is one of the most ancient dog breeds, originating in the highlands of Tibet more than a thousand years ago. The name combines Lhasa, the historic capital of Tibet, with the Tibetan word apso, often translated as "long-haired dog.”
For centuries these small but dignified dogs lived in monasteries and noble households in the Himalayas. They were regarded as sacred companions and were believed to bring good fortune and spiritual protection.
According to Tibetan tradition, the souls of departed lamas might return in these dogs, giving them a special place in Tibetan culture. The Dalai Lama has long been associated with this remarkable breed.
Lhasa Apsos also served as alert guardians inside monasteries, watching over the inner chambers while larger dogs protected the outer gates.
From Tibet to the World of Art
The breed gradually became known outside Tibet in the early twentieth century, when a few dogs were given as diplomatic gifts to visitors from abroad. In 1935 the American Kennel Club officially recognised the Lhasa Apso as a distinct breed.
Their quiet dignity has also charmed figures in the world of art. The legendary collector Peggy Guggenheim famously kept several Lhasa Apsos in her Venetian palazzo, where they lived among the masterpieces of modern art.
Leo & Zoe Today
Leo and Zoe bring this long history gently into the present. Brother and sister, they share a deep bond and the attentive presence typical of the breed.
In their everyday lives they are calm observers of the world—but within this project their presence opens the door to imagination. Through art and playful transformation, Leo and Zoe step into new scenes and stories where dogs become explorers, heroes and dreamers.
Every image begins with them.
A Literary Echo
There is a charming children’s book by Dominique Falda titled Leo and Zoe—or The Search for a Shared World. In the story, Leo is the child of the sun—cheerful and carefree, carrying light wherever he goes. Zoe moves through the world with a touch of moonlight and a small cloud that follows her.
When I discovered the book, I was struck by how closely this description reflects my own Leo and Zoe. Leo is the radiant one, full of sunny confidence, while Zoe has a more watchful and mysterious nature, moving through the world with curiosity but also a certain caution.
Sun and moon, trust and vigilance.
Their characters could hardly be more different—and yet it is precisely this contrast that creates the quiet balance of their shared world.
Their official Tibetan names reflect their heritage—but in daily life they have always just been Leo and Zoe:
Tienschan's X'Shamar (Leo)
Tienschan's Wa-shi Kangmar (Zoe)
Leo and Zoe live with the artist Karina Wisniewska in Switzerland and are the inspiration behind this project.