Makoto Fujimura - The Four Holy Gospels

Tweet In January of 2011, Addington Gallery presented an exclusive exhibition of the complete series of the five major paintings which comprise Fujimura's "Four Holy Gospels" Commission Project. The commissioned book was available to view and purchase. Renowned artist and writer Makoto Fujimura is not shy about the importance of his latest project. "Whether I like it or not, this is what I will be remembered by," Fujimura asserts. "I don’t think it’s an overstatement to say that it is a commission of the decade, if not more," says Valerie Dillon, whose Dillon Gallery is Fujimura’s main exhibitor. The commission is an illuminated manuscript published by Crossway, to commemorate the four hundred year anniversary of The King James Bible, set to be released January 2011. The leather-bound English Standard Version of the Bible, printed with a six-color metallic process, will comprise the four Gospels as designed and illustrated by Fujimura. Five major new works, painted in the artist’s Manhattan studio, will be the volume’s main images, making this the first such manuscript to feature abstract contemporary art in lieu of traditional representational illustrations. It is this unprecedented marriage of a modern, usually secular art form with ancient scripture that most interests Fujimura, who aims to depict "the greater reality that the Bible speaks of… for the pure sake of integrating faith and art in our current pluralistic, multicultural world." (from Press Release by Crossway Publishing) ARTIST BIOGRAPHY  Makoto Fujimura is an artist, writer, and speaker who is recognized worldwide as a cultural influencer by both faith-based and secular media. A Presidential appointee to the National Council on the Arts (2003-2009), Fujimura has contributed internationally as an advocate for the arts, speaking with decision makers and advising governmental policies on the arts. Fujimura’s work is exhibited at galleries around the world, including Dillon Gallery (New York), Sen Gallery (Tokyo), The Contemporary Museum of Tokyo, Tokyo National University of Fine Arts Museum and Oxford House, Taiku Place (Hong Kong). He has painted live on stage at New York’s legendary Carnegie Hall as part of an ongoing collaboration with composer and percussionist Susie Ibarra. A popular speaker, he has lectured at numerous conferences and universities, including the Aspen Institute, Yale, Princeton, the Q Conference, and IAM’s Encounter 10. Fujimura’s second book, Refractions: A Journey of Faith, Art and Culture, is a collection of essays bringing people of all backgrounds together in conversation and meditation on culture, art, and humanity. Fujimura founded the International Arts Movement in 1992. Read more about Makoto Fujimura's work at makotofujimura.com  Makoto Fujimura, Opening reception, January 23, 2011, photography by Kim Bersin Makoto Fujimura, Opening reception, January 23, 2011 Makoto Fujimura, Opening reception, January 23, 2011 Opening reception, January 23, 2011 Opening reception, January 23, 2011 Lane T. Dennis, publisher of the Four Holy Gospels" commission, introducing Makoto Fujimura, January 23, 2011 Dan Addington introduces Lane T. Dennis and Makoto Fujimura to reception guests, January 23, 2011 Opening reception, January 23, 2011 Opening reception, January 23, 2011 Opening reception, January 23, 2011 Opening reception, January 23, 2011 Opening reception, January 23, 2011 "Matthew", mixed media on canvas, 60x48 "Mark", mixed media on canvas, 60x48 "Luke", mixed media on canvas, 60x48 "John", mixed media on canvas, 60x48 "I", mixed media on canvas, 6x6 "J", mixed media on canvas, 6x6 "N", mixed media on canvas, 6x6 "T", mixed media on canvas, 6x6 "W", mixed media on canvas, 6x6