Walking on Water images were painted in Makoto Fujimura’s new Princeton studio. They were meant as an elegy to victims to 3/11 tsunami. As he attempted to finish the last of the three Walking on Water - Banquo's Dream, Hurricane Sandy hit, wiping some fifty of his works at Dillon Gallery. Thus, his process of painting have now become, literally, a way to "walk on water.”
Azurite on Kumohada
84H x 132W in (each)
Oyster Shell White, Quartz and Gold on Linen
87H x 143W in
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Walking on Water - Banquo's Dream was inspired by watching Fujimura’s second son C.J. play Banquo at Bucknell University's production of Macbeth. Fujimura began the painting soon after, and finished the work as Hurricane Sandy blew over his new studio in Princeton area. Hurricane Sandy caused a prolonged power outage. However, because Nihonga technique existed during “pre-electricity”, as Fujimura states, he was determined to continue to work in the dark.
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“A heavey summons lies like lead on me,
And yet I would not sleep. Merciful powers,
Restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature
Gives way to in repose!”
Banquo, in Macbeth
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Private Collection
Mineral Pigments on Polished Gesso
82H x 132W in
Mineral Pigments on Canvas
84H x 132W in
