God’s Strange Army of Artsy Folks

EVANGELICALS FOR SOCIAL ACTION
By Makoto Fujimura

“Grace Foretold” by Makoto Fujimura / www.makotofujimura.com

Church people forget that the Bible is full of strange, artsy folks. Ezekiel believed God asked him to do performance art—eating a scroll and cooking with human dung. King David danced naked in the streets. Then you have this pregnant teen who gave birth to a King in a food trough, a King who was greeted by the garbage collectors of the time. Right. When I read the Bible as an artist, however, this all makes sense. Artists do all sorts of strange things to communicate—they create language to describe the indescribable. A journey with Jesus is more like being an artist than working a predictable nine-to-five job. It’s unpredictable, risky, and often strange. It’s an adventure for which you need faith. [More]

RELIGIOUS ART | NEWS OF WEEK

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By Gregory & Ernest Disney-Britton

2018 Alpha Omega Prize Finalist: 
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XQ5S8WL

Makoto Fujimura’s "Charis-Kairos (The Tears of Christ)" 80x64", Mineral Pigments, Gold on Belgium Linen. One image in a set of Frontpieces

Calling this week’s grand opening of the Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC, a "major event" would be an understatement. The 430,000 square foot museum opens on Fri., Nov. 17 just blocks from Capitol Hill at the cost of over $500 million. Its displays will feature over 2,800 Bible artifacts, and the opening will also include an exhibition of works by a 2013 Alpha Omega Prize honoree. Created in celebration of the 400th anniversary of the King James Version, Makoto Fujimura's “The Four Holy Gospels" is now an inaugural exhibit of the Museum of the Bible. We already have our timed-tickets, and we urge you to get your tickets too for the Museum of the Bible.

Prints of Makoto Fujimura's "Charis-Kairos (The Tears of Christ)" at Saatchi Art

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS

Charis-Kairos (The Tears of Christ) by Makota Fujimura. 80x64", Mineral Pigments, Gold on Belgium Linen

The artist Makoto Fujimura's "Charis (Grace) Kairos (Time)," takes the methods he developed for a Soliloquies series where he exhibited his large scale works with Modernist master Georges Rouault's paintings. "Taking Rouault's indelible images as a cue," said Fujimura, "I decided to start with a dark background, to illumine the darkness with prismatic colors." He painted The Four Holy Gospels, using water-based Nihonga materials (Japanese-style painting), with my focus on the tears of Christ (John 11) - tears shed for the atrocities of the past century and for our present darkness." Charis-Kairos (The Tears of Christ) is part of the "Four Holy Gospels" which will be in the inaugural exhibit at the new Museum of the Bible in Washington D.C. in November of 2017. [Purchase]

Scorsese partnership gives evangelical artist wider exposure

THE BAPTIST STANDARD
By DAVID VAN BIEMA

"Silence," a new movie by Martin Scorsese, examines issues of faith as it tells the story of Jesuit priests in 17th century Japan. “Mako” Fujimura, a Japanese-American evangelical artists, served as special adviser for the film. (Paramount Pictures)

HOLLYWOOD---Decades before Makoto “Mako” Fujimura became America’s most successful evangelical fine artist—and even longer before he advised Martin Scorsese on the director’s new movie, Silence—an unplanned turn down a darkened museum hall in Tokyo defined his artistic calling. During Japan’s 250-year persecution of its Christians, magistrates forced suspected believers to trample the images or face torture and death. At first Fujimura worried the film might be “a culture wars project.” But the script impressed him, and an hour-long meeting with Scorsese convinced him of the director’s intellectual enthusiasm as well as earnestness. [link]

Artful living with Makoto Fujimura at Museum of Biblical Art

GUIDE LIVE

Makoto Fujimura to speak on Wednesday, December 7 in Dallas, Texas

TEXAS---Join Art House Dallas as we hear from internationally acclaimed visual artist Makoto Fujimura who will discuss the life of the artist and read from his newest book, Silence and Beauty, followed by a Q&A. Fujimura is Director of Fuller Seminary's Brehm Center and a presidential appointee to the National Council on the Arts. You will learn from his unique experiences of engaging culture through visual art and ways his faith has specifically informed his journey including how his recent book corresponds with Martin Scorsese's upcoming film, Silence. [Tickets]

Makoto Fujimura awarded 2016 Aldersgate Prize for “Silence and Beauty”

INDIANA WESLYAN UNIVERSITY

INDIANA---Indiana Wesleyan University’s John Wesley Honors College (JWHC) is pleased to announce the 2016 Aldersgate Prize has been awarded to renowned bicultural artist Makoto Fujimura for his book, “Silence and Beauty: Hidden Faith Born of Suffering”.  Selected from nearly eighty nominations for this year’s prize, “Silence and Beauty” is a genre-transcending work that contemplates Japan’s earliest encounter with Christianity and the unique ways this legacy survived as a subtle, yet integral, part of the quiet beauty and generative ambiguity that pervades Japanese culture. Fujimura will accept the Aldersgate Prize on April 6, 2017 at the 2016 Celebration of Scholarship Luncheon at Indiana Wesleyan University. [link]

Day #7 - Art for Lent: Makoto Fujimura's "John - In the Beginning" #Lent2016

ART + RELIGION
By Aaron Rosen

"John - In the Beginning" (2010) by Makoto Fujimura | Japan/USA. Mineral pigments, gold on Belgian linen (60 x 48 in.)

Fujimura ws born in Boston to Japanese parents and later studies the ancient tradition of Nihonga painting in Japan. John - In the Beginning is part of a series commissioned by Crossway Publishing for an edition of the Gospels commemorating the 400th anniversary of the publication of the King James Bible. A committed Christian, Fujimura has written extensively on religion and aesthetics. He writes that the Gospel of John records 'the physical invation into the cosmos by the Creator'. [page 28/29]

Drawings by Makoto Fujimura at Kittredge Gallery in Tacoma, Washington

THE SUBURBAN TIMES

WASHINGTON– "Process Drawings: Recent Works by Makoto Fujimura" showcases recent works by the abstract expressionist painter that provide insight into his creative process and the evolution of an important group of his large-scale paintings created since 2007. Makoto Fujimura is an artist, writer, and orator. He has exhibited his work exploring spiritual and metaphysical themes at galleries and museums around the world, including the Dillon Gallery in New York, Sato Museum in Tokyo, The Contemporary Museum of Tokyo, and Vienna’s Belvedere Museum. Kittredge Gallery, University of Puget Sound, 1500 N Warner St (CMB 1072), Tacoma, Washington [link]

"Walking on Water - Azurite" @ARTprize Offers Rare Opportunity to View Nihonga art

THE RAPIDIAN
By Elizabeth Rogers Drouillard

"Walking on the Water" by Makoto Fujimura

MICHIGAN---Step out of the frenzy of ArtPrize and into the "slow art" of Makoto Fujimura. Makoto Fujimura's ArtPrize entry "Walking on Water-Azurite" at the Acton Institute (98 East Fulton Street) invites us back into that experience. Fujimura practices Nihonga, a Japanese style of painting. "Nihonga is an art form with a lineage that goes back to the 12th century. Nihonga uses pulverized minerals with hide glue, making your own paint, [and then] painting on hand made paper or silk. It is a collaborative art, working with artisans and nature to reflect the ecosystem of Japanese aesthetics," says Fujimura.[link]

MY #ARTPRIZE Day #2 - WED-10/1 - "Walking on the Water"

THE ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By TAHLIB

"Prime Commonality" by Quincy Owens and Luke Crawley

Day #2 at ArtPrize2014 was perfect. We began by taking the dogie out for breakfast at Big Boys, and then we took a walk through the historic area north east of downtown where we visited several historic churches. By that point, the pooch was ready for his daytime nap which we aided with a tranquilizer and he slept all day. From then on, we took off into the city with some of our high points being a sculpture by Quincy Owens and a painting by Makoto Fujimura. In total, I voted for 15 pieces today.  I'll post photos (and a list) below of the day, but there was nothing about this day that I'd have changed.

2013 A&O Prize Inductee Makoto Fujimura at Artprize 2014

THE ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By TAHLIB

"Walking on Water - Azurite" (2012) by Makoto Fujimura. 
Mineral pigments on polished gesso; Width: 132 in, Height: 82 in

MICHIGAN---"Walking on Water" by A&O Prize 2013 winner, Makoto Fujimura of New York City is on display this year at the Artprize competition in Grand Rapids---the world's largest fine arts competition. Artprize, launched in 2009 is intentially unlike any other art festival. It is 19 days of imagination when three square miles of downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan become an open playing field where anyone can find a voice in the conversation about what is art and why it matters. Visitors to the city can also then vote to see who wins the $200,000 top prize. It's this radically inclusive idea about contemporary art that led to the top prize in 2011 going to "Crucifixion" by Mia Tovanatti.

‘Qu4rtets’ Show is a Multimedia Response to T.S. Eliot Masterpiece

RONOAKE TIMES
By Mike Allen

Detail from “Spring” 2012, by Bruce Herman. Oil and alkyd resin with
23-karat gold, silver and moon gold leaf on wood; 97 inches by 60 inches.

NEW YORK---T.S. Eliot’s “Four Quartets,” a long poem in four parts by the Nobel Prize-winning author that explores time and Christian spirituality, most of it written during World War II. “It imitates in musical fashion the human experience of being bound in time, with eruptions of eternity,” said Roanoke College English professor Robert Schultz. Four friends — two artists, a composer and a theologian — have created a 21st-century response to Eliot’s masterpiece. Their efforts culminated in a traveling exhibition called “Qu4rtets”, which will open at Roanoke College on Jan. 17. The show includes large paintings by Makoto Fujimura and Bruce Herman, as well as a new classical composition by Christopher Theofanidis. That piece will be performed by the college’s resident chamber musicians, the Kandinsky Trio, along with guest musicians. [link]

Makoto Fujimura's "January Hour - Epiphany" at the Saint Louis Art Museum

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By TAHLIB

"January Hour - Epiphany" by Makoto Fujimura; 76.4x102.8, 1997-1998, Collection of The Saint Louis Art Museum

MISSOURI---For today: Makoto Fujimura "January Hour - Epiphany" 76.4x102.8, 1997-1998, Collection of The Saint Louis Art Museum. The museum is one of the nation’s leading comprehensive art museums with collections that include works of art of exceptional quality from virtually every culture and time period. Areas of notable depth include Oceanic art, pre-Columbian art, ancient Chinese bronzes and European and American art of the late 19th and 20th centuries, with a growing contemporary art collection. For more information, call 314.721.0072 or visit slam.org.

4th Day of Christmas 2013: Four Artist Evangelists

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By Ernest @DisneyBritton

Makoto Fujimura via www.makotofujimura.com

On this 4th Day of Christmas, I reflect on the calling of four religious artists: Makoto Fujimura, Yona Verwer, Andrew Kosorok, and Quincy Owens. Many believe that the Four (4) Calling Birds in the song: "12 Days of Christmas" refer to the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists. While the label "evangelical" turns off many Americans, including myself, Fujimura explained evangelism by focusing on its root word "evangel" which means “to herald the Good News." This year, Fujimura traveled the world advocating culture care; Verwer brought new insight into the Jewish day of rest;  Kosorok extended his outreach to his Islamic brothers/sisters; and Quincy Owens, took the risk of exploring Hindi culture in India. All four artists shared "Good News" like calling birds.

2013 A&O Prize Art of Year: "Golden Sea" Available Online for Holydays

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By TAHLIB

NEW YORK---The full version of this moving Plywood Pictures documentary on Makoto Fujimura's career will ONLY be available with the purchase of Golden Sea monograph. The Golden Sea retrospective monograph is a beautiful cloth-bound book, embossed with gold detail reminiscent of Fujimura’s "Golden Sea" painting. Designed by Darilyn Carnes of Abrams Books, it contains images of Fujimura’s paintings throughout his career. For more information on the entire "Golden Sea" project, see the "Golden Sea" website. [Purchase Here]

Renowned Artist Makoto Fujimura to Visit Geneva College

READ ME MEDIA

PENNSYLVANIA---Nationally recognized Christian artist, writer, and speaker Makoto Fujimura will visit Geneva College on Wednesday, November 20. At 7:30 p.m., he will present a lecture in Skye Lounge of the Student Center as part of the Geneva Visiting Artist & Lecture Series (GVALS). Fujimura's artworks, painted in a style that fuses fine art with abstract expressionism, are exhibited in galleries across the world, from Tokyo's Sato Museum in to Vienna's Belvedere Museum to New York's Dillion Gallery. Dr. Keith Martel, professor of humanities and higher education, says "Fujimura is a world-renowned abstract artist who doesn't just think Christianly, but creates from a deeply Christian perspective and affection with every word, brush stroke and dash of gold." [link]

2013 A&O Prize for Artwork of Year: "Golden Sea” by Makoto Fujimura

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By TAHLIB

Artist Makoto Fujimura

NEW YORK---The chair, Gregory Disney-Britton, the board, and the members of Alpha & Omega Project for Contemporary Religious Arts are pleased to announce the 2013 inductee for artwork of the year: "Golden Sea". Created by Makoto Fujimura, the selection honors the work of contemporary religious art that had the greatest influence in bridging the art vs. religion divide in the United States during the past year. "Throughout human history, religions and art have been joined as part of the wider quest for meaning. "Golden Sea" shows why we need both," said chairman Disney-Britton. Featured this past May at Manhattan's Dillon Gallery, the "Golden Sea" exhibition of new works, coincided with publication of Fujimura's first retrospective monograph, as well as a biographical documentary.

Illuminating Voices in Ohio for the Holidays at Canton Museum of Art

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By TAHLIB

OHIO---This coming December, the place to be to celebrate Religious Art is Canton, Ohio. The Canton Museum of Art will present two inspirational exhibitions, "Sacred Voices: Works by Interfaith Contemporary Artists," and the illuminated works of the "St. John's Bible." There will be a members only opening reception for both the Sacred Voices exhibit and the St. John's Bible exhibit on Thursday, December 5. Many of the artists participating, are from NYC such as Yona Verwer and Makoto Fugimura, but the religious artist roster covers the nation. Many of the artists will also have merchandise in the shop on consignment.

Canton Museum of Art: "Sacred Voices"; and "Illuminating the Word: The Saint John's Bible" (Dec. 5, 2013 - March 2, 2014); 1001 Market Ave. North, Canton, OH. (330)453-7666; cantonart.org

New Christian Art Books, For Your Collection

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By TAHLIB

It's Christmas in July, and the season is ripe for art books by some of my favorite contemporary Christian artists. The following are three on my shopping list. First is Chris Koelle's "The Book of Revelation," a graphic novel with text by Matt Dorff. Illustrator Koelle will be in San Diego during Comic-Con from July 19-21 with Zondervan, a Michigan-based Christian book publisher to promote the novel. Second, is the monograph "Golden Sea" by painter and cultural leader Makota Fujimura,  which was released this past May to coincide with a new exhibition and a biographical documentary. The third is the recently published "99 Names: 1-25" by stained-glass artist Andrew Kosorok --- a Christians journey to explore the names of God from the Qur'an.

Art Review: MAKOTO FUJIMURA Golden Sea

BROOKLYN RAIL
by Margaret Graham

Makoto Fujimura, “Golden Sea,” 2011.
Mineral Pigments and Gold on Kumohada, 80 × 64”. 

NEW YORK---Makoto Fujimura’s recent paintings exist on the cusp of paradox, visually collapsing the arc between macro and micro, the celestial and the terrestrial, the corporeal and the ephemeral, destruction and rebirth, tradition and innovation. Their surfaces are splendid but often difficult to get inside. As such, Fujimura is like the T. S. Eliot of contemporary painting, creating art as a response to tragedy and leaving it at the altar of humanity in the hope that it might provide beauty and consolation in the midst of devastation, sorrow, loss, and decay. [link]