Early Career and Influences
Born in 1921, Kyohei Fujita was first introduced to the world of glass art through his apprenticeship in the factory of Toshichi Iwata. Iwata’s influence, particularly in style and materials, can be seen in Fujita’s early works (Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2007). However, as Fujita progressed in his career, he developed a distinct style.
In 1972, Fujita, along with Histoshi Iwata, Toshichi Iwata’s son, and fifty other artists, established the Japan Glass Artcrafts Association, which marked a significant milestone in Fujita’s career (Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2007).
Signature Glass Boxes
Fujita became well-known for his signature glass boxes adorned with intricate surface decorations (Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2007). These caskets or boxes, often composed of several tiers, were decorated with drifts of gold, silver, or platinum foil that seemed to glide across the deeply coloured glass (Centre Georges Pompidou, 1986).
One such creation is Fujita’s Coloured Clouds casket of 1973. With its slightly convex lid, lavish surface decoration, and precision finish, it clearly alludes to the traditional Japanese lacquer boxes used for holding documents, inkstones, or writing instruments. However, Fujita’s form does not serve a specific function but instead presents a sublime meditation on a traditional form, translated into a new medium (Centre Georges Pompidou, 1986).
Exhibitions and Accolades
Fujita’s work has been recognized globally and featured in numerous exhibitions. These include a solo exhibition at the Kunstsammlungen der Veste in Coburg, Germany, in 1977 and at the Heller Gallery in New York in 1988 and 1990 (Japan Glass Art Crafts Association, 1991). His work was also part of the “One of a Kind: The Studio Craft Movement” exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City from December 22, 2006, to September 3, 2007 (Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2007).
Throughout his career, Fujita received several honours. These include the prestigious Imperial Prize and Award from the Japan Art Academy in 1989 (Japan Glass Art Crafts Association, 1991). He also held positions as the president of the Japan Glass Art Crafts Association and was a member of the Japan Art Academy (Japan Glass Art Crafts Association, 1991).
Impact and Legacy
In the twentieth century, Japanese artists made a significant mark within the international studio glass movement, with Kyohei Fujita at the forefront (Centre Georges Pompidou, 1986). Fujita’s innovative fusion of traditional Japanese elements with a convincingly modern spirit set him apart in his field.
Fujita’s unique artistic vision and mastery of glass art have left an indelible mark on the landscape of contemporary art, crafting a legacy that will inspire generations to come.
Sources
Byars, M., & Riley, T. (2004). The design encyclopedia. Laurence King Publishing. https://amzn.to/3ElmSlL
Centre Georges Pompidou. (1986). Japon des Avant Gardes.
Japan Glass Art Crafts Association. (1991). Triennale of the Japan Glass Art Crafts Association.
Metropolitan Museum of Art. (2007). One of a Kind: The Studio Craft Movement.
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