Archie Hayes Celebrated Japanese creator, Riusuke Fukahori, is set for his follow-up individual exhibit, entitled “Goldfish Salvation,” at the esteemed Joshua Liner Gallery this week. Fukahori has earned significant renown for his unique artistry, where he employs a combination of acrylic and resin layers to capture the vivacious movements of goldfish, often portrayed within miniature wooden enclosures or ensconced in bamboo headgear. He cites his in-studio aquatic setup, housing numerous live goldfish, as a constant source of inspiration and reference. The completion of each piece is a meticulous process, taking several months as it’s formed gradually, one intricate layer at a time.
Fukahori’s art is recognized worldwide for its unique style and incredible detail. He began his goldfish series in 2000, after a period of artistic block, when he found inspiration in his pet goldfish. His method involves pouring resin into a vessel, then after it hardens, painting a section of the goldfish using acrylic paint. He then pours another layer of resin, allowing it to harden, before painting the next section. This painstaking process is repeated many times until a full, three-dimensional goldfish appears, seemingly swimming in the vessel.
The resulting pieces are a unique blend of painting and sculpture that give the impression of real fish swimming. Fukahori’s art not only celebrates the beauty of the goldfish but also delves into themes of perception, reality, and the relationship between life and death. The lifelike quality of his works often leads viewers to question whether they’re observing a painting or actual live creatures, thereby challenging our perceptions of reality. It’s this mind-bending blend of the ordinary and the extraordinary that makes Riusuke Fukahori’s work so compelling.
