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The works of Jack Wise are included in major art collections, including those of the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, Canada Council Art Bank, The Smithsonian Institute, Scottish Art Council, and several university collections across Canada. Wise's painting is marked by his attention to detail, repetition of form, and his concentration on universal themes, such as imagery of circles, rocks and dragons. Dragons, for example, are part of both Celtic and Chinese beliefs. In this way, Wise hoped to emphasize imagery with meaning to everyone, regardless of their background or religion (Andrew Scott, "Wise," 22). Wise worked in the distinctive forms of calligraphy, and circular mandalas. He once said, "The mandala is my discipline and the calligraphy is my freedom. They are both part of the totality that has intrigued me now for a long, long time." (Rimmer, Language of the Brush) Although he practised calligraphy as a separate exercise and his free-form brush work was visually quite different from the intricacy and discipline of his brightly coloured mandalas, he incorporated calligraphy within his mandalas. He felt a deep
connection with Asian philosophy, especially Taoist beliefs, but did
not limit himself to themes of that nature. Buddha Thoughts incorporates
Asian themes, but The Rosy Crucifixion, part of the Maltwood Collection
at the University of Victoria, is a representation of the Christian
cross. By presenting art of cross-cultural significance, Wise successfully
crossed boundaries and brought diverse cultural traditions together
through his art.
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