A little while ago I conducted a brief interview with Makoto Fujimura (makotofujimura.com). Fujimura is a New York-based artist who deals with a kind of art with which I have little familiarity. I first heard of him through an article written by Phil Ryken in which he describes visiting an exhibition featuring Fujimura’s work. I was intrigued by the examples of his art I saw through the internet and asked if he’d be willing to answer a few questions. He was kind enough to comply.
When did you first discover your love for art? Did you receive any formal artistic education? Who are your greatest influences in your art?
I grew up in a creative home (I was born in Boston, and grew up bi-culturally between Japan and US), my father being a research scientist, and my mother being a creative educator. Art was always part of my life, but it was not until I was in high school that I realized I had to protect my creative time, or it will be taken from me. I studied art in college (as part of a double major at Bucknell Universtiy), and received Japanese Governmental scholarship and ended up for six and a half years at a prestigious Nihonga program at Tokyo National University.
What kind of art do you primarily create?
My art is based on medieval technique and method of Japanese art now known as Nihonga. If you come to my exhibits in NYC, you will not only see paintings, but also video installations. I also do collaborations with musicians, and recently I became the first artist ever to paint live on stage at the Carnegie Hall. But I see my art as part of my life, my writings, my effort to help our church plant activities in NYC. To me, “art” is not just the product of what I produce, but the process of revealing the core of my humanity.
Tell us about how you came to know the Lord.
My new book River Grace (will be available via www.iamny.org) accounts for my journey to come to faith in Japan while as a graduate student. My wife had a lot to do with it. It was triggered by the experience of creating beauty but that same beauty exposed my emptiness within.
Eric Liddell, the great Scottish Olympian and missionary once said, “I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure.” Even in something as simple as running he felt the pleasure of God. Can you identify with that as you create works of art?
Absolutely. It’s the most intimate, worshipful experience to be alone in the studio and paint. I also resonate with Liddell, as I, too, feel that passionate call to share the love of Christ with others and be used to build the City of God.
Have you ever thought about what art will be like in the new heavens and new earth? Do you suppose you’ll be able to continue to create art for God’s glory for all eternity?
All the time…Art taps into the glory of the transcendent, and earthy, realities of the new heavens and new earth. Good art (whether created by Christians or non-Christians) should produce a longing for that reality.
Which of the works you’ve made so far are your favorites? Why?
I have a few paintings that I see as seminal works, such as Sacrificial Grace series in ‘98, exhibited at Dillon Gallery in NYC. I also did a series of works based on Dante’s The Divine Comedy, as a response to 9/11 (I am a “Ground Zero” resident), and my most recent called Golden Flames painting is one of the most important works for me.
How do you seek to bring glory to God through your art?
By being faithful and resourceful to investment in refinement of the gifts given to me, to use my creativity to contribute to community around me. I believe that art is inherently is of and from God (remember that our God is THE Creator), though we twist the gift of creativity given to us. So if you are involved in creativity, you dwell near the heart of God. Of course that does not mean we have personal relationship with the Creator and thereby being able, via the Holy Spirit, to enjoy God’s presence that is revealed via our creativity.
What are your hopes and dreams for your art? As you look to the future and allow yourself to dream a little bit, what would you like to see happen with your art?
I do want to be the best artist that I can be, to represent God’s grace in the world in my life as well as in the world. My effort to advocate for artists have grown into the International Arts Movement, a not-for profit arts organization that has a headquarter in New York City and chapters in Japan and elsewhere. We believe that God desires to re-humanize the world via the arts and creative expression, and we want to create a home for folks wrestling with deep issues of art, faith and humanity. Re-humanizing the world is a big, ambitious goal, and yet a goal that God calls all of us to participate in.
You may wish to learn more about Makoto Fujimura at makotofujimura.com.
Comments (20) »
1. donsands
February 3, 2008
2:44 PM
He’s the kind of Christian we need more of.
Thanks for sharing this interview. Very nice.
2. Nam
February 3, 2008
4:14 PM
Although I was a little disappointed he answered your question about how he came to know the Lord by pointing to his book this was good to read.
3. D.L. Kane
February 3, 2008
4:32 PM
Tim - Just curious…When Makoto said, “God desires to re-humanize the world….. ” did he go into any detail of what he meant by the term “re-humanize?”
4. Jenny Ihn
February 3, 2008
5:55 PM
Hi, I came across this site through a friend.. and have been greatly encouraged by it. I am currently a theological student thinking through the issues of art. Prior to coming to college I was an art student and because I thought that art was a bit of a luxury and something that is a waste to our existece as Christians I gave it all up. However, the new things that I have been learning at college has been telling me otherwise. It was quite moving for me to read this post for it confirmed my convictions and so it was great to know that there are other artists out there living for God in this way.
Thank you
5. Tim
February 3, 2008
5:58 PM
Man, I just burned a piece of plywood that looked just like that! I might have been sitting on a treasure that would have been worth millions on the Antique Roadshow.
6. Tim Challies
February 3, 2008
6:55 PM
I just burned a piece of plywood that looked just like that! I might have been sitting on a treasure that would have been worth millions on the Antique Roadshow.
I remember way back in school we would study these abstract pieces of art and say to the teacher, “I could have made that.” And she would say, “Yes, but you didn’t.”
7. jennifer
February 3, 2008
8:48 PM
I don’t want to be overly critical, but I think I need help clarifying some of the things he said. What does he mean when he said:
“God’s presence that is revealed via our creativity”
“if you are involved in creativity, you dwell near the heart of God”
“We believe that God desires to re-humanize the world via the arts and creative expression…Re-humanizing the world is a big, ambitious goal, and yet a goal that God calls all of us to participate in.”
I really do wish to think more deeply about things like art, music (that isn’t used to lead praise directly), and other such seemingly “waste to our existence as Christians” to consider how these gifts can be used to the glory of God. However, some of the things that he says doesn’t jive with my understanding of Scripture. So I ask for clarification before jumping to any conclusions.
8. Abi
February 3, 2008
10:11 PM
Jennifer, you said “some of the things that he says doesn’t jive with my understanding of Scripture.” What do you mean by that? As a professional musician and a Christian, I live in both worlds, the professional music world and the ‘church world.’ I think about my art and my relationship with God all the time and what Fujimura is saying is so refreshingly true about how the two come together in my soul and about how I use music to bring God’s healing to this world. But I would love to hear your perspective.
9. Chris Giammona
February 3, 2008
10:54 PM
If you want some context for Mako’s view, read his piece here:
http://makotofujimura.blogspot.com/2007/03/being-child-of-creative-age.html
10. Chris Giammona
February 3, 2008
10:58 PM
Also, feel free to look around the IAM site - the resources section has a collection of essays and you can buy the messages from the past 2 years IAM conferences in the store.
11. Chris Giammona
February 3, 2008
10:59 PM
Sorry for the multiple comments. The site is:
http://www.internationalartsmovement.org/
12. Jennifer
February 3, 2008
11:34 PM
Abi, I guess it has to do with his emphasis.
I understand that this interview was about the art he does and how he uses it to glorify God, and I totally understand that any form of art (whether it’s painting, music, etc.) can be used to glorify Him.
But what was a bit troubling to my reading eyes was that his emphasis was on the arts as a means of accomplishing the will of God.
Looking at the sentence: “God desires to re-humanize the world via the arts and creative expression.”
God’s will: “to re-humanize the world” (so, my question, what does he mean “to re-humanize”)
the vehicle: “the arts and creative expression”
how do i know he means the vehicle: “via”
Now we all know that the will of God is our salvation (1 Tim. 2:4), our sanctification (1 Thess. 4:3-6), that He receive the glory (Eph. 2:7, Isaiah 42:8, and so many more), etc. I’m sure you’re familiar with what I’m saying.
And we all know that the vehicle of the will of God is His word. the preaching of it, the teaching of it, etc.
So the reason why I said it didn’t jive with me was because it seems as though the emphasis is turned away from the word of God being the central drive, and depending on what he means by “re-humanize,” the emphasis could be turned away from the will of God as revealed through Scripture.
That’s why I asked for clarification because the interview doesn’t shed much light on where he stands doctrinally. (Not to say that the interview was bad. again, I understand the point of the interview wasn’t to discuss doctrine.)
I checked the website too, and when i read the “vision” statement it also seemed to lie on the peripheral of Scripture.
I didn’t really mean to make a point, but I guess I need to make my observations clear in order to get clarifications on things i may be misunderstanding. =)
13. jennifer
February 3, 2008
11:37 PM
just trying to be discerning and grow in understanding about these things =)
14. candy
February 4, 2008
9:20 AM
I first saw Fujimura’s work on Purgatorio’s site (believe it or not), and checked it out. I really like his work, and his emphasis that creativity can glorify God.
My understanding of his statement of re-humanizing the world is that the art world has had an emphasis on shock art, or postmodern expressions for such a long time, and Fujimura wants to focus on the beauty that God has displayed through his creation, and through Fujimura and other artist’s expressions.
15. ruben
February 4, 2008
7:55 PM
God is the source of all beauty, producing something that captures this is nothing short of worship.
16. David
February 4, 2008
9:52 PM
I appreciate what Fujimura has to say. I’m a visual artist also and I think being a visual artist is a great way to enter into the lives of people in order to have discussions that lead to deeper things and to the sharing of faith in Jesus Christ. Postmodern “nothingness” only leaves questions. A Christian artist can point to the author and finisher of our faith. We need, as image bearers, to point to whose Image we bear.
www.imagebearers.net
17. Daryl
February 5, 2008
9:53 AM
I can relate to Jennifer’s concerns/questions about Fujimura’s thoughts on art.
I’d like to see some Scripture about God re-humanizing the world through the arts. I understand the sentiment, but often those kinds of comments come across a little art-centric I think, particularly to us relatively non-artistic folk.
Anyone can point to Scripture to demonstrate the importance of Biblical instruction and preaching for instance, I’m not sure that the same can be said of the arts, at least to the same extent.
I have no doubt that art can glorify God, but so can most other human endeavours. I think its the insinuation (apparent only to me perhaps) that the arts are somehow extra-special in God’s eyes, as compared to just about anything else, that is troubling.
I suppose if we take what Mr. Fujimura says with a bit of a grain of salt, understanding that we all will tend to see our particular area of work/ministry/talents are somehow elevated in importance, that would help us to appreciate his unique contributions while maintaining a Biblically balanced view of life.
Thoughts?
18. Jen
February 5, 2008
11:16 AM
“…is it not rather that art rescues nature from the weary and sated regard of our senses, and the degrading injustice of our anxious every-day life, and, appealing to the imagination…reveals Nature in some degree as she really is, and as she represents herself to the eye of the child, whose every-day life, fearless and unambitious, meets the true import of the wonder-teeming world around him, and rejoices therein without questioning?”
~ George MacDonald, Phantastes
As a visual artist and musician, I can’t help but watch these discussions with interest. As an artist, I try to rejoice in His glory by reflecting it and sharing my perspective of it with others. It is perhaps a vain attempt to help them see God, but…there it is.
While not wanting to speak for Mr. Fujimura, perhaps by “re-humanize” he simply meant drawing us back to that often difficult-to-reach place where we are like little children, full of wonder, amazement, and awe at the world all around us, the world God Himself created for our enjoyment. Isn’t that a bit of “re-humanization”, bringing us back to a place of overjoyed humility (if there can be such a thing)? This isn’t to say I’m “extra-special”, but it truly amazes me to see people pass by and ignore spectacular beauty on a daily basis, when the Bible tells us Creation loudly proclaims God’s goodness and glory (not to say I’m guiltless; the realization I was doing so is probably what began redirecting me toward art).
Creation (IE, the created universe) is a gift and an evidence at the same time, but by passing it by daily or not allowing ourselves to sink into it or even man-made (often God-inspired) works of art, we kind of do disconnect ourselves from our own humanity, the humanity God put into us. A machine cannot walk with God. Only a heart of flesh can.
Some people respond to art, be it visual or tactile or music. Others respond to books or sermons, and still others respond to actions and deeds. We all speak different languages. That said, art can be very universal (music especially), eliciting unbidden and hidden from emotions and thoughts. This may be what Mr. Fujimura meant; art is a widely-spoken language, one that at least gives rise to curiosity and discussion from culture to culture. Beethoven’s 9th Symphony is a stunning, heart-rending piece of music recognized and loved almost the world over; the Mona Lisa intrigues eyes and minds from north, south, east and west.
I doubt the man was disparaging the callings of those “less artistic”. Surely he is aware that the body of Christ does indeed have varied members. At the same time, it’s probably also kind to remember that most artists see themselves and their work disparaged as worthless and wasteful to a Christian life (I daresay *especially* by other Christians). His remarks (and mine, and those of other artists on the thread) may be more out of self-defense than anything.
19. Daryl
February 5, 2008
11:25 AM
Jen,
Thanks. You last paragraph really clarifies things and helps me understand Mr. Fujimura a little better I think.
20. Christy Tennant
February 6, 2008
7:59 PM
These are great comments! You might be interested in International Arts Movement’s 2008 Encounter, “Generative Creativity: Transforming the Cultural River,” taking place Feb 28-Mar 1 in Manhattan. Makoto Fujimura will be onstage in a collaboration with Jerzy Sapieyevski (Composer/Performer). It’s an incredibly rich, inspiring, enlightening weekend and artists and creative catalysts from most of the 50 US and over 8 nations will be there. Come if you can!!