Gajin Fujita

L.A. Louver is delighted to present a long-anticipated exhibition of new paintings by Japanese-American artist Gajin Fujita. These increasingly sophisticated works reflect many cultural influences, including the lush visuals of traditional Japanese tattoos, screen painting from the Edo period, woodblock prints by ukiyo-e artists and contemporary Japanese cartoons. Fujita continues to juxtapose Japanese imagery and painting techniques with contemporary themes and spray painted graffiti, often inviting former members of his tagging crew to contribute text to the paintings.

Fujita received his formal training at Otis College of Art + Design, and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he studied with Dave Hickey, graduating in 2000 with a MFA. His work has been featured in important group shows including Beau Monde: Toward a Redeemed Cosmopolitanism, Site Santa Fe’s 4th International Biennial, 2001; Casino 2001, Stedelijk Museum;, 2001 Outlook International Exhibition, Athens, 2003; and Populence, Blaffer Gallery, Houston, Texas (and traveling), 2005. Gajin Fujita was paired with Pablo Vargas Lugo in the exhibition Contemporary Projects 9 at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 2005-06; and later this year will be honored with his first solo museum exhibition Zephyr: Paintings by Gajin Fujita (8 September – 5 November, 2006) at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art in Kansas City. An extensive full-color catalogue, which includes essays by exhibition curator Elizabeth Dunbar, critic Dave Hickey, curator Franklin Sirmans and Asian art scholar Jason Steuber, will accompany the exhibition.

Pressetext

Gajin Fujita
Twilight Blush