Refractions: A Journey of Faith, Art, and Culture 15th Anniversary Edition

by Makoto Fujimura

Embark on a profound journey through the depths of human emotion and spirituality in the updated anniversary edition of Refractions by renowned artist Makoto Fujimura.

This timeless collection of reflective essays invites you to explore themes of grief, loss, tragedy, and disruption through the eyes of an artist’s soul. Originally conceived in the shadow of the fallen twin towers of the World Trade Center, near where Fujimura’s New York art studio stood, this anniversary edition includes new essays unpacking the author’s further insights into his concepts of culture care and a theology of making. Refractions carries the weight of history and the urgency of the moment, illuminating beauty, healing, and hope. A gift for any artist or supporter of the arts, Refractions connects faith, art, and life, offering insight into In a world marred by violence and despair, Fujimura guides you toward a deep understanding of life’s intricate tapestry, where beauty emerges from unexpected places, and healing finds its roots in the goodness of God and human resilience.

Genres: Art

224 pages, Hardcover

Published August 6, 2024

About the author

Makoto Fujimura, recently appointed Director of Fuller's Brehm Center, is an artist, writer, and speaker who is recognized worldwide as a cultural shaper. A Presidential appointee to the National Council on the Arts from 2003-2009, Fujimura served as an international advocate for the arts, speaking with decision makers and advising governmental policies on the arts. In 2014, the American Academy of Religion, named Makoto Fujimura as its ’2014 Religion and the Arts’ award recipient. This award is presented annually to an artist, performer, critic, curator, or scholar who has made a significant contribution to the understanding of the relations among the arts and the religions, both for the academy and for a broader public. Previous recipients of the award include Meredith Monk, Holland Carter, Gary Snyder, Betye & Alison Saar and Bill Viola.

Fujimura’s work is represented by Artrue International and has been exhibited at galleries around the world, including Dillon Gallery in New York, Sato Museum in Tokyo, The Contemporary Museum of Tokyo, Tokyo National University of Fine Arts Museum, Bentley Gallery in Arizona, Gallery Exit and Oxford House at Taikoo Place in Hong Kong, and Vienna’s Belvedere Museum. He is one of the first artists to paint live on stage at New York City’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, universities and museums, including the Aspen Institute, Yale and Princeton Universities, Sato Museum and the Phoenix Art Museum. Fujimura founded the International Arts Movement in 1992, a non-profit whose “Encounter” conferences have featured cultural catalysts such as Dr. Elaine Scarry, Dennis Donoghue, Billy Collins, Dana Gioia, Calvin DeWitt and Miroslav Volf.

Fujimura’s second book, Refractions: A Journey of Faith, Art and Culture, is a collection of essays bringing together people of all backgrounds in a conversation and meditation on culture, art, and humanity. In celebration of the 400th Anniversary of the King James Bible, Crossway Publishing commissioned and published The Four Holy Gospels, featuring Fujimura’s illuminations of the sacred texts.

In 2011 the Fujimura Institute was established and launched the Four Qu4rtets, a collaboration between Fujimura, painter Bruce Herman, Duke theologian/pianist Jeremy Begbie, and Yale composer Christopher Theofanidis, based on T.S. Eliot’s Four Quartets. The exhibition will travel to Baylor, Duke, and Yale Universities, Gordon College and other institutions around the globe.

Bucknell University honored him with the Outstanding Alumni Award in 2012.
He is a recipient of four Doctor of Arts Honorary Degrees; from Belhaven University in 2011, Biola University in 2012, Cairn University in 2014 and Roanoke College , in February 2015.

Reviews

[Joel Hansen]

I love Fujimura as an artist and thinker, and this is a wonderful collection of essays from him. Most of these are reflections on the post-9/11 world of America and New York City, violence, city life, art (modern and historical) and world culture. Much of the same themes are present in his later books, Culture Care and Art & Faith, which I read before this one. Each essay is unique and special in its own way. I especially like the ones that are more personal tributes: to his father, art professor and friend. The art world is such an interesting place to me, and I love getting a glimpse into it. It's fascinating to hear how Fujimura brings his faith into that cultural space.

[Sanjuro]

I have a lot of respect for Makoto's perspective. His way of understanding life through art, and both life and art through faith, is thoughtful. Some of these short reflections are engaging, and some are more like musings. Some of them are well constructed, and some of them too deeply strained for their point to have any real effect. The book was calming to read, but it also felt too often like a personal journal that didn't really need to be a 200 page book. I liked it enough to pursue more of Makoto's writing.

[Will Turner]

"If we do not have a nation full of engaged readers and imaginators, we will also lack the creative mind that can mediate communication and create new languages ... We may have all the technology to communicate but have nothing to say to each other."

Refractions, 185