Jack Wise made many contributions to the arts during his life, creating and showing his own work, exchanging ideas with colleagues, setting up arts education programmes and widening people's understanding of both contemporary art and ancient traditions. Wise was known for his calligraphy, based upon Chinese brushwork, and for his mandalas, colourful, circular forms which embody Buddhist cosmology or world view.

He moved to British Columbia, Canada, from the United States in his early 30s, and, after a brief hiatus, returned to his painting with a passion that lasted the rest of his life. Finding inspiration and meditative peace on the Gulf Islands in the Straight of Juan de Fuca, Wise exercised his creativity and thirst for knowledge not only among his peers, but also in the wondrous settings of the coast and forest. The death of Jack Wise in 1996 did not put an end to the tremendous impact of this artistic ambassador, and his work continues to act as inspiration, a centre of discussion, and a spiritual focus for contemplation.

Delve into the fascinating world of Jack Wise. Make contact with the paintings of Jack Wise by exploring his art in our on-line database, or take a virtual tour of the Karma of the Dragon show, held at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. Contemplate his mandala and calligraphy work, and the tools he used as an artist. Find out what his peers and colleagues had to say on the subject of Jack. Put Jack Wise and his work into context through reading his biography, and by learning about his teachers, students and local influences. Get involved with student activities, which encourage you to explore the techniques and philosophies behind his art.

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