Goldfish Salvation

Dec 6

close up of "Kingyo Sukui (The Ark)" ©Japan Suite Inc

close up of "Kingyo Sukui (The Ark)" ©Japan Suite Iinc

This weekend, we went to see the incredible work of Japanese artist Riusuke Fukahori and his new exhibition “Goldfish Salvation” at the Joshua Liner gallery here in NYC. If you can, we strongly encourage you to go and see his amazing work, which is on display through Dec. 19.

Seeing his goldfish, looking so 3D and life-like, suspended in clear acrylic in various rustic containers, the first thought was, did he imprison real fish? The answer was no, but my eyes had a hard time believing it. Looking at them from many angles, it was hard to figure out how he managed to make them look so real. We later learned how he does it, but understanding Fukahori’s process and meticulous method of working makes it all the more impressive.

Fukahori’s story and his inspiration for “Goldfish Salvation” is both a comment on his own salvation as an artist and a sobering warning for humanity. He says when he was at a very low point in his life, wondering about continuing his path as an artist, he happened to glance at the goldfish that had been there everyday for seven years in his apartment, and he was struck by it’s beauty as it swam in the dirty tank. “Why has it taken me so long to see this beauty and insanity? The goldfish has everything, thus it's beautiful,” Fukahori said. “I then began to paint goldfish and now, I am still painting them.”

Looking at his beautiful images of goldfish in natural surroundings, seemingly swimming in unison through pristine waters, you begin to understand the allegory. We prefer to let Fukahori explain it:

“In the aquarium, similar to human society, there is a story of birth and death. As long as they live, these goldfish will continue to soil the fish tank, and if not changed, the water will only get tainted leading to death for all the goldfish. This is quite true for the human species as well… The goldfish that I paint are not really goldfish, but representations of people. I feel as though the fish tank is only foretelling what would happen to the earth in the future. We as human beings are the main source polluting our own air we breathe.”

watch the making of incredible artworks. Learn more at his official site

"Kingyo Sukui (The Ark)" ©Japan Suite Iinc

Japan Suite

Showcasing traditional Japanese crafts and the artisans who create them — their stories and their art in words and visions. Japan’s hand-made crafts have played an integral role in the lives of Japanese for centuries. They are created in response to basic, everyday needs and have long been used in the daily rhythms of life. They come from the earth and from nature, and they are prized for their simplicity and long life. Craftspeople pour their passion, pride and energy into their handiwork, creating objects that can far outlive their creators, but in doing so, they carry on the artist’s legacy. The artisans know their objects can live hundreds of years, and they want to be just as proud of it in 100 years as they are today. So, everyday household items take on a life of their own, their own spirit and their own story. They are unique, one-of-a-kind creations with a character and spirit that grows stronger with regular use. The artist creates the object, but that is just the beginning of the journey. In the hands of its owner, a relationship is created, one that is nurtured across time. Just as we do, these creations will change over time developing new imperfections and new character. Each region and each artisan have their own character. In Japan, this is known as meibutsu. The legacy has been passed down by Japanese artists across time down to today’s craftspeople who are advancing and redefining this tradition. We applaud these artisans, and we strive to support them as they re-interpret the heritage of their predecessors — and we are proud to introduce their work, their stories and the passion they put into their creation here at Japan Suite.

Goldfish Salvation

Happy New Year! from Japan Suite

Giving Thanks.