Rowena Pattee Kryder

Jane English, born in 1942, is an accomplished artist, photographer, and author with a Ph.D. in particle physics. Her academic background in physics, including work at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, contrasts with her later deep engagement with Eastern philosophy and art. She is best recognized for her collaborative work with Gia-Fu Feng on bestselling illustrated translations of the Tao Te Ching and the Zhuangzi Inner Chapters. These books, featuring her photography and design alongside Feng's calligraphy and translation, brought ancient Chinese texts to a wider audience.

English's artistic journey began in childhood, influenced by her photographer grandparents. After completing her physics doctorate, she transitioned to focus on photography and explored alternative philosophies. Her path led her to Stillpoint, an intentional community founded by Gia-Fu Feng, where their creative and personal partnership flourished. Beyond these seminal works, English has continued to explore themes of nature and consciousness through various artistic mediums, often drawing inspiration from Eastern and indigenous traditions.

Jane English, born in 1942, possesses a unique dual background, holding a doctorate in particle physics while also being a skilled photographer and artist. Her early life in Massachusetts, surrounded by a family with scientific and artistic inclinations, laid the groundwork for her diverse pursuits. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Physics from Mount Holyoke College and later completed her Ph.D. in particle physics at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1970. During her graduate studies, she also delved into photography, inspired by her family's photographic legacy. This period marked a significant exploration of the intersection between quantum physics, consciousness, and Eastern thought, influenced by figures like Alan Watts.

Following her postdoctoral work, English shifted her focus from physics to photography and alternative explorations, leading her to Stillpoint, an intentional community founded by Gia-Fu Feng. There, a profound collaboration and personal connection developed between them. Together, they embarked on creating illustrated translations of seminal Taoist texts. Their first major project, the Lao Tsu / Tao Te Ching, published in 1972, combined Feng's translation and calligraphy with English's striking nature photography and design. This was followed by Chuang Tsu / Inner Chapters in 1974. These works achieved significant commercial success, with English insisting on equal credit and compensation, challenging norms of the time. Their approach, integrating visual art with ancient philosophical texts, resonated deeply, making them bestsellers and introducing these works to a broad audience.

The success of their Taoist translations opened doors for English and Feng to engage in wider educational and artistic endeavors. They taught courses on Chinese philosophy and physics, led workshops, and lectured internationally. English continued to create and publish books, calendars, and notecards, consistently exploring themes of nature, consciousness, and the wisdom found in Eastern and indigenous traditions. Her artistic output, often in collaboration with figures like Chungliang Al Huang, reflects a lifelong dedication to integrating scientific understanding with spiritual and artistic inquiry, seeking to illuminate the interconnectedness of the natural world and inner experience.

“It's an illustrated version. The even more ancient language of the natural world balances the words.”

“The farther you go, the less you know”