Mark Tobey

Uncovering Contemporary Art’s Interior Buddhist

By Anita Lahey

In the 1950s, Mark Tobey, a Seattle artist with strong ties to Victoria, championed the work of Japanese-American artists, including Paul Horiuchi, also represented in AGGV’s collection. He later influenced major artists such as Jackson Pollock. As such, he’s a link between Buddhism and 20th Century abstract art.

Ensô: Inaba Shinden’s Perfect Meditative State

By Jenelle Pasiechnik

Ensô (featured image above) painted by the accomplished, 20th century, Zen master Inaba Shinden depicts a symbol central to Zen meditative practice. The ensô, meaning “circle”, is one of the most common subjects of Japanese calligraphy.

Collectors’ Corner

By Audrey Wang, AGGV Volunteer Collecting is often regarded as a fundamental and universal human instinct and an activity shared […]