Abstract Painter Reflects on the Gospel
March 31, 2011
The 2010-2011 University Speaker
Series concluded Tuesday at University Campus with a moving address
by abstract painter Makoto Fujimura on “Faith and Art.”
Fujimura was commissioned by Crossway Publishing to create five
major illuminated paintings, along with related smaller works, for
a new edition of The Four Holy
Gospels. Fujimura recalled that he had only 18 months to
complete the work for the oversize (11-inch by 17-inch)
volume.
A devout Christian, he began his work by contemplating the
passage, “Jesus wept.” That lead him to the Biblical story of
Lazarus, and the role of faith. Intellect and emotion are both
represented in the story of a transformation, he said. This
contemplation inspired him to paint “Charis-Kairos” (The Tears of
Christ) for the first illustration of the volume.
Fujimura also discussed the way abstract art is often viewed. Many
people think they don’t like it, he said. But then he tells them
that fireworks, classical music, and jazz are all forms of abstract
art.
