{"id":4627,"date":"2025-06-12T16:37:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-12T16:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lalouver.com\/journal\/?p=4627"},"modified":"2025-09-16T07:57:41","modified_gmt":"2025-09-16T14:57:41","slug":"in-focus-gajin-fujita","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lalouver.com\/journal\/in-focus-gajin-fujita","title":{"rendered":"In Focus: Gajin Fujita"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69d2867d568c0&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69d2867d568c0\" class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1464\" height=\"1080\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lalouver.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Gajin-Fujita-Angelic-Intervention-AI-2023.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4628\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lalouver.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Gajin-Fujita-Angelic-Intervention-AI-2023.jpg 1464w, https:\/\/www.lalouver.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Gajin-Fujita-Angelic-Intervention-AI-2023-300x221.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lalouver.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Gajin-Fujita-Angelic-Intervention-AI-2023-768x567.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1464px) 100vw, 1464px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Gajin Fujita,\u00a0<em>Angelic Intervention (AI),<\/em>\u00a02023, Spray paint, 24K gold leaf, 12K white gold leaf, acrylic paint and paint markers on four wood panels, 48 x 64 in. (121.9 x 162.6 cm)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em>L.A. Louver Celebrates 50 Years<\/em>\u00a0contains two large-scale recent paintings by Los Angeles artist\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lalouver.com\/artist.cfm?tArtist_id=251\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Gajin Fujita<\/a>. In\u00a0<em>Angelic Intervention (AI)\u00a0<\/em>(2023), Fujita presents two\u00a0<em>putti<\/em>, infant cherubim most frequently found in Renaissance and Baroque religious paintings. Tattooed with cherry blossoms and peonies rendered in the traditional Japanese style, the angels reference the multicultural landscape of Los Angeles, Fujita\u2019s home and a major source of inspiration for his work. The angels lounge on ombre clouds, PlayStation controllers in hand, leading viewers to humorously imagine what worldly events gamers intervene upon. The work\u2019s title riffs on the acronym AI (artificial intelligence) and creates a dichotomy between two realms that wield power over humanity\u2014technology and religion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69d2867d5716c&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69d2867d5716c\" class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1464\" height=\"1080\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lalouver.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Gajin-Fujita-We-Skyscrapin-2025-12K-white-gold-leaf-24K-gold-leaf-spray-paint-acrylic-and-paint-markers-on-four-wood-panels-48-x-64-in.-121.9-x-162.6-cm.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4629\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lalouver.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Gajin-Fujita-We-Skyscrapin-2025-12K-white-gold-leaf-24K-gold-leaf-spray-paint-acrylic-and-paint-markers-on-four-wood-panels-48-x-64-in.-121.9-x-162.6-cm.jpg 1464w, https:\/\/www.lalouver.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Gajin-Fujita-We-Skyscrapin-2025-12K-white-gold-leaf-24K-gold-leaf-spray-paint-acrylic-and-paint-markers-on-four-wood-panels-48-x-64-in.-121.9-x-162.6-cm-300x221.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lalouver.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Gajin-Fujita-We-Skyscrapin-2025-12K-white-gold-leaf-24K-gold-leaf-spray-paint-acrylic-and-paint-markers-on-four-wood-panels-48-x-64-in.-121.9-x-162.6-cm-768x567.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1464px) 100vw, 1464px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Gajin Fujita,\u00a0<em>We Skyscrapin<\/em>, 2025, 12K white gold leaf, 24K gold leaf, spray paint, acrylic and paint markers on four wood panels, 48 x 64 in. (121.9 x 162.6 cm)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em>We Skyscrapin<\/em>\u00a0is the first large scale panel painting Gajin Fujita created in 2025. This dynamic painting exemplifies Fujita\u2019s most recent visual innovations: a grid made of gold leaf is overlaid on the background of silver leaf, bifurcating the painting into rectangular sections. Tags from Fujita and his graffiti community peek through the golden bars. In Fujita\u2019s other recent paintings such as\u00a0<em>Pretty Please\u2026.<\/em>\u00a0(2024) and\u00a0<em>Praying for Forgiveness for Us<\/em>\u00a0(2024), cherubic\u00a0<em>putti<\/em>\u00a0are seen praying to the Wood Dragon (the animal sign of the 2024 Lunar New Year) in acts of contrition, while in\u00a0<em>We Skyscrapin<\/em>\u00a0the angel pulls on the dragon\u2019s facial antenna seemingly to stop its fiery ascent. Fujita\u2019s skillful use of paint markers to paint the angel\u2019s fine strands of hair is also noteworthy in demonstrating his close attention to detail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69d2867d57b24&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69d2867d57b24\" class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lalouver.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Gajin-Fujita-Pretty-Please.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lalouver.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Gajin-Fujita-Pretty-Please.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/www.lalouver.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Gajin-Fujita-Pretty-Please-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lalouver.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Gajin-Fujita-Pretty-Please-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.lalouver.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Gajin-Fujita-Pretty-Please-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Gajin Fujita,\u00a0<em>Pretty Please...<\/em>, 2024, 12K white gold leaf, 24K gold leaf, spray paint, paint markers, streaks, acrylic and acrylic clear gloss on wood panel, panel: 12 x 12 in. (30.5 x 30.5 cm)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69d2867d58cb0&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69d2867d58cb0\" class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lalouver.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Gajin-Fujita-Praying-for-Forgiveness-for-Us-2024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4631\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lalouver.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Gajin-Fujita-Praying-for-Forgiveness-for-Us-2024.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/www.lalouver.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Gajin-Fujita-Praying-for-Forgiveness-for-Us-2024-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lalouver.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Gajin-Fujita-Praying-for-Forgiveness-for-Us-2024-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.lalouver.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Gajin-Fujita-Praying-for-Forgiveness-for-Us-2024-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Gajin Fujita,\u00a0<em>Praying for Forgiveness for Us<\/em>, 2024, 12K white gold leaf, 24K gold leaf, spray paint and paint markers on two wood panels, 10 x 16 in. (25.4 x 40.6 cm)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Since his debut at L.A. Louver in 2001 as part of the Rogue Wave program, Gajin Fujita has been featured in six L.A. Louver solo presentations\u2014including 2023\u2019s blockbuster&nbsp;exhibition&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.lalouver.com\/exhibition.cfm?tExhibition_id=2165\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Gajin Fujita: True Colors<\/em><\/a>. A native of East Los Angeles,&nbsp;Fujita (b.1972) received his BFA from Otis College of Art and Design, followed by an MFA from the University of Nevada Las Vegas, where he studied with esteemed art critic Dave Hickey. Fujita first established himself on the streets of Los Angeles with graffiti crews KGB and K2S, but his earliest artistic influences were informed by his father, who was a painter, and his mother, a conservator of Asian antiques. Fujita\u2019s singular style pulls equally from Japanese and American cultural symbols and themes to construct a realm of unique aesthetic coexistence. The result of this culmination takes the form of gilded surfaces layered with graffiti tags, traditional East Asian iconography, and contemporary Western motifs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fujita\u2019s work has been exhibited extensively and can be found in the permanent collections of the Getty Research Institute, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Hammer Museum, Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Toledo Museum of Art, and LACMA, among many others. In 2019, Fujita received an honorary doctorate from Otis College of Art &amp; Design. He was inducted into the National Academy of Design in 2024.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fujita\u2019s work will additionally be on view in the National Academy of Design exhibition&nbsp;<em>Kinetic Traces<\/em>&nbsp;from 12 June - 13 September 2025. An opening celebration for the exhibition will be held in New York City tonight, June 12th. For more information and to reserve tickets for the opening,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/nationalacademy.org\/calendar\/Kinetic-Traces\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">please click here<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69d2867d59758&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69d2867d59758\" class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1631\" height=\"1080\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lalouver.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/fujita-wicked-beauty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4632\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lalouver.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/fujita-wicked-beauty.jpg 1631w, https:\/\/www.lalouver.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/fujita-wicked-beauty-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lalouver.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/fujita-wicked-beauty-768x509.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.lalouver.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/fujita-wicked-beauty-1536x1017.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1631px) 100vw, 1631px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Installation of\u00a0<em>Gajin Fujita: WIcked Beauty<\/em>\u00a0at L.A. Louver,\u00a02002.\u00a0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69d2867d59e5e&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69d2867d59e5e\" class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1409\" height=\"1080\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lalouver.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Gajin-Fujita-with-his-painting-Mere-Mortal-2022-2023-photography-by-Sheldon-Bolter.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4633\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lalouver.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Gajin-Fujita-with-his-painting-Mere-Mortal-2022-2023-photography-by-Sheldon-Bolter.jpg 1409w, https:\/\/www.lalouver.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Gajin-Fujita-with-his-painting-Mere-Mortal-2022-2023-photography-by-Sheldon-Bolter-300x230.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lalouver.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Gajin-Fujita-with-his-painting-Mere-Mortal-2022-2023-photography-by-Sheldon-Bolter-768x589.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1409px) 100vw, 1409px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Gajin Fujita with his painting\u00a0<em>Mere Mortal\u00a0<\/em>(2022), 2023, photography by Sheldon Bolter.\u00a0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>L.A. Louver Celebrates 50 Years\u00a0contains two large-scale recent paintings by Los Angeles artist\u00a0Gajin Fujita. In\u00a0Angelic Intervention (AI)\u00a0(2023), Fujita presents two\u00a0putti, infant cherubim most frequently found in Renaissance and Baroque religious paintings. Tattooed with cherry blossoms and peonies rendered in the traditional Japanese style, the angels reference the multicultural landscape of Los Angeles, Fujita\u2019s home and a major source of inspiration for his work. The angels lounge on ombre clouds, PlayStation controllers in hand, leading viewers to humorously imagine what worldly events gamers intervene upon. The work\u2019s title riffs on the acronym AI (artificial intelligence) and creates a dichotomy between two realms that wield power over humanity\u2014technology and religion.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6954,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4627","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\r\n<title>In Focus: Gajin Fujita - L.A. Louver - Journal<\/title>\r\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\r\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lalouver.com\/journal\/in-focus-gajin-fujita\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"In Focus: Gajin Fujita\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"L.A. Louver Celebrates 50 Years\u00a0contains two large-scale recent paintings by Los Angeles artist\u00a0Gajin Fujita. In\u00a0Angelic Intervention (AI)\u00a0(2023), Fujita presents two\u00a0putti, infant cherubim most frequently found in Renaissance and Baroque religious paintings. Tattooed with cherry blossoms and peonies rendered in the traditional Japanese style, the angels reference the multicultural landscape of Los Angeles, Fujita\u2019s home and a major source of inspiration for his work. The angels lounge on ombre clouds, PlayStation controllers in hand, leading viewers to humorously imagine what worldly events gamers intervene upon. The work\u2019s title riffs on the acronym AI (artificial intelligence) and creates a dichotomy between two realms that wield power over humanity\u2014technology and religion.\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.lalouver.com\/journal\/in-focus-gajin-fujita\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"L.A. 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