Makoto Fujimura

Makoto Fujimura (b. 1960) is a Japanese American artist and cultural thinker whose work bridges ancient technique and contemporary abstraction. Born in Boston in 1960 and raised in Japan, Fujimura trained in traditional Nihonga painting at Tokyo University of the Arts, becoming one of the few non Japanese artists to master this historic practice. Nihonga emphasizes the use of mineral pigments, gold, silver, and layered processes, all of which remain central to his work.

Fujimura’s paintings are characterized by luminous surfaces and meditative compositions that explore themes of beauty, fragility, and restoration. His practice is deeply informed by his Christian faith, as well as by a broader philosophy he calls “culture care,” which advocates for the nurturing of culture through generosity and attention rather than critique alone.

In addition to his studio work, Fujimura is an influential writer and speaker who has engaged in international dialogues on art, faith, and public life. He has served as an advocate for the arts in policy and cultural institutions, including appointments to national arts councils. Through both his paintings and writings, Fujimura seeks to offer a vision of art as a transformative force rooted in tradition yet responsive to the present moment.