As one of Canada’s most important artists, Jack Shadbolt (1909-1998) is known for his paintings and murals that draw from his personal experiences and from the social and political conflicts that have taken place in British Columbia and world history such as the struggles of the Indigenous people, the Second World War and the environmental movement. Shadbolt was born in England in 1909 and with his family, came to Victoria, BC in 1921. He lived and taught in Victoria, Vancouver and Burnaby. His work is represented in all the major galleries across Canada as well as in corporate and private collections. Shadbolt’s numerous awards include the Order of Canada in 1972 and an Honorary Degree from the University of British Columbia. In 1987, he and his wife, art historian and curator Doris Shadbolt, established the Vancouver Institute for Visual Arts (VIVA), which supports and recognizes the achievements of artists in British Columbia.