39 Facts About Makoto Fujimura

Makoto Fujimura is considered to be one of the leading figures of "slow art" movement.

Makoto Fujimura has coined the terms "Culture Care" and "Theology of Making".

Makoto Fujimura graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bucknell University, then studied in a traditional Japanese painting doctorate program for several years at Tokyo University of the Arts with several notable artists such as Takashi Murakami and Hiroshi Senju.

Makoto Fujimura's art is significantly influenced by Sen no Rikyu.

Makoto Fujimura went on to study traditional Japanese painting at the Tokyo University of the Arts under a Nihonga Master Kazuho Hieda.

Makoto Fujimura received his Master of Fine Arts degree in 1989.

Makoto Fujimura was invited back to the Tokyo University of the Arts to continue his education in a lineage doctoral-level program in Nihonga, an ancient Japanese painting style, under Nihonga Master Matazo Kayama.

Makoto Fujimura was the first non-Japanese citizen to be accepted in the Japanese painting doctorate program, which dates back to the 15th century.

Makoto Fujimura's works has been exhibited in major museums and galleries around the world, including the US, Japan, Taiwan, Israel, the UK, China, and Hong Kong.

In 1992, at the age of 32, Makoto Fujimura became the youngest artist ever to have a piece acquired by the Museum of Contemporary Art in Tokyo.

Makoto Fujimura has collaborated with Susie Ibarra on multiple occasions, and his live painting in 2009 was recorded by Plywood Pictures in "Live in New York: Susie Ibarra + Makoto Fujimura"; his live painting in 2021 was documented by Windrider Productions.

In November 2009, Makoto Fujimura's works were coupled with works of Georges Rouault at Dillon Gallery.

Makoto Fujimura created several new works in homage to the 20th-century master.

In October 2023, Makoto Fujimura opened an exhibit of his paintings titled "My Bright Abyss: Paintings and Prints" at the Bradford Gallery at St George's Episcopal Church in Nashville, TN in partnership with Covenant Presbyterian Church and Liturgy Collective.

Makoto Fujimura's works are in permanent collection at the National Modern Museum of Art in Tokyo, Yokohama Museum of Art, Tokyo University of the Arts Museum, the Saint Louis Museum, the Cincinnati Museum, and the CNN building in Hong Kong, and other museums globally.

In 2016, Makoto Fujimura released Silence and Beauty: Hidden Faith Born of Suffering, an autobiographical journey into Shusaku Endo's Silence.

Makoto Fujimura's public speaking has made the artist notable outside of artistic circles.

Makoto Fujimura has given at least five Commencement Addresses, including Judson University address "Kintsugi Generation".

Makoto Fujimura appeared at the inaugural Alliance for Responsible Citizenship in London in late 2023, speaking on kintsugi, abstract art, and his cultural vision for the world.

Makoto Fujimura was featured in PBS's American Masters episode "Rothko: Pictures Must Be Miraculous" as the only living artist commenting on Mark Rothko's paintings.

In 2023, upon request by Christopher Rothko, Fujimura wrote the afterword for republication of The Artist's Reality: Philosophies of Art, a collection of writings by Mark Rothko.

Makoto Fujimura served as a special advisor to the major motion picture Silence by Martin Scorsese based on Shusaku Endo's Silence.

In 2010, Makoto Fujimura made his on-screen debut with commentary in the documentary The Human Experience.

In 2017, Makoto Fujimura served as an executive producer of a short film Abstraction: Dianne Collard Story, a finalist at the Heartland Film Festival.

In 1991, Makoto Fujimura founded IAMCultureCare, formerly known as the International Arts Movement.

Makoto Fujimura has co-hosted several major conferences for the International Arts Movement, including Culture Care Summit.

Makoto Fujimura has lectured at UK Parliament, Stockholm School of Economics, the Aspen Institute, Hong Kong University, Bucknell University, Cairn University, Gordon College, Grove City College, The King's College, Princeton University, Yale University, and has been a keynote speaker in various arts, academic and business conferences.

From September 2015 to January 2020, Makoto Fujimura was the Vision Director of the Brehm Center for Worship, Theology, and the Arts at Fuller Theological Seminary.

Makoto Fujimura is a recipient of 2014 American Academy of Religion's Religion and Arts Award.

Makoto Fujimura is a senior fellow at the Trinity Forum.

Makoto Fujimura received 2016 Aldersgate Prize, which "celebrates the outstanding achievement of an author whose scholarly inquiry challenges reductionistic trends in academia by yielding a broad, integrative analysis of life's complexities and shedding fresh light on ultimate questions that enliven Christian conceptions of human flourishing", for his Silence and Beauty book on Shusaku Endo.

Makoto Fujimura Institute brought a collaborative exhibit to Shusaku Endo Literature Museum in Sotome, Nagasaki, in August 2017.

Makoto Fujimura received "Compassion Award" from Consolatio Mission for his work as an artist, and helping to set up ministry in northern Japan after March 11,2011 Great Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami.

Makoto Fujimura was the 2023 Kuyper Prize for Excellence in Reformed Theology and Public Life.

Makoto Fujimura was the first artist to receive this award in 25 years.

Makoto Fujimura is a recipient of four honorary Doctoral degrees, from Belhaven University in 2011, Biola University in 2012, Cairn University in 2014, and Roanoke College in 2015.

Makoto Fujimura is the son of Osamu Makoto Fujimura, one of the pioneers of speech science.

When he was in Japan studying traditional methods in Japanese art, Makoto Fujimura was searching for a deeper meaning and purpose in life, but he did not find satisfaction, thinking the Bible's teachings were not applicable for the modern world.

Makoto Fujimura is married to Haejin Shim Makoto Fujimura, a lawyer, entrepreneur, and nonprofit leader.