The tiny artworks of more than 600 Canadians are headed to Venice – as part of a very big global art project.

Imago Mundi was created by Luciano Benetton – the founder of the Benetton fashion brand – who’s spent three years collecting 10 by 12 centimetre canvases from artists in dozens of countries – as he’s travelled around the world.

Canadian artists represented include Edward Burtynsky, Michael Snow, Suzy Lake and author Margaret Atwood – who included text on her canvas.

The works in Imago Mundi will be exhibited in a grid pattern – when the show opens at the end of August – to coincide with the Venice International Film Festival.

Curators are hoping to bring the project to Canada after its run in Venice.