Book Review: Refractions by Makoto Fujimura

By Lauren Yarger
The age-old debate about whether one is a Christian artist or an artist who is a Christian seems moot as both Christian an artist blend into one in Makoto Fujimura’s collections of thoughts on art, faith and culture in “Refractions” (NavPress 2009).

The visual artist, who served on the National Council on the Arts, offers insights on how art, culture and faith are connected and how they can blend like the colors on one of his beautiful canvases instead of being opposed to one another.

Fujimura uses his artist’s eye to observe beauty not only in art, but in daily life. He’s is at ease seeing its application in dealing with a troubled youth or in sharing a short biblical parable that fits a situation.

“The Creator God has given us creativity and the arts so that we may “name” experiences, just as God commissioned Adam to name the animals in the garden,” Fujimura shares. “In the fallen realities of our days, God continues to affirm our creative responses to the darkened horizon, and by naming the indescribable, we may yet rediscover our hope to endure yet another dark day.”

His recounting of the September 11 attacks in 2001, near his home and studio in New York, are poignant and led to the formation of the TriBeca Temporary, an oasis for collaboration by Ground Zero artists.

Fujimura also looks at some classic art, including DaVinci’s “The Last Supper” and reflects on the interpretations of it by fans of Dan Brown’s novel “The DaVinci Code,” which revolves around a theory that Jesus and Mary Magdalene (supposedly represented in DaVinci’s painting) were married and had a child. Fujimura’s interpretation of the real message in that painting is eye-opening and evidence of the artist’s ability to apply his faith naturally both to art and culture.

The book is beautifully laid out including numerous photos of Fujimura’s works. Reading it is like taking a refreshing break from the hustle of every day business and focusing on a beautiful painting of God’s love for us.

You can purchase Refractions here.