Poppy Shaking Summer" (2011)

The exhibition " Toyoaki Fujikura, Hideyuki, and Takayuki Fujikura: The Road They Walked " is currently being held at the Arishima Memorial Museum in Niseko, where visitors can view these works.

The three were born and raised in Iwanai-cho, Hokkaido. Toyoaki is a designer, Hideyuki is an illustrator, and Takayuki is a photographer.

Toyoaki Fujikura, Hideyuki, and Takayuki Fujikura: Three Brothers' Exhibition "The Road They Walked

This time we introduce Hideyuki Fujikura, who is known for his works depicting the scenery of Hokkaido.

His works, which cut out magnificent landscapes from various parts of Hokkaido and express them in vivid colors, are very attractive. The paintings depict scenery that is not tourist attractions, but rather scenery that can be seen from roads and train windows that local people use on a daily basis, making us love the scenery that is a part of our daily lives. Many people may feel that they know these works even though they have never seen them before.

The Path of the Spring Breeze" (2012)

The first thing that comes across in his works is their "warmth. The detailedness and colors of his paintings are like those of a painting, and they capture the hearts of those who see them. After experimenting with various painting methods, Hideyuki arrived at the process of creating his works by applying colors to the edges of hand-torn colored paper and pasting them on top of each other.

Production scene

In the early days, I used a cutter a lot for pasting, but cutter lines look sharp and cold and lack warmth. That's why I tear them out by hand as much as possible. I think this style suits me to depict that feeling of the Hokkaido landscape."

Snow Field" (1988), a work from the time when he used cutters a lot.

From Maimaibashi Bridge" (2012), a work created after he started tearing it out by hand.

The artist colored each of the countless pieces of paper to express shading, and pasted them on in order from the bottom up, just like a puzzle. The appeal of his works is that they utilize the "texture of paper. Although he uses the technique of "papier-mâché," he is very particular about shaving the surface of the paper to avoid making it thick, as he wants his works to be seen as "paintings.

Cape Nosap" (2011)

Hideyuki Fujikura, who started his own business at the age of 26, says that until he was in his 30s, he worked in advertising design for clients, including sports-related illustrations and flyers.

He says, "Design is a fad, after all. I knew I wouldn't be able to continue designing for long, and I wanted to draw pictures. Gradually, I focused more and more on painting, and I was able to make a living doing just that.

In his 30s, he began painting nostalgic scenes and games in Hokkaido. His works at this time were a combination of cutouts and colors on black drawing paper. The fineness of expression gives a sense of "nostalgia" with a sense of reality.

Paper cutout works from the 80's

Mr. Fujikura says that the cutout technique was the best way to convey such nostalgic scenes. There is a human figure somewhere in the work, which makes the most of the scenery. The expressions on their faces are also very particular.

The faces are neither smiling nor angry, but rather calm and unaffected. I tried to create expressions that could be interpreted differently by the viewer. If I put too much expression on the face, the viewer's eyes would be drawn to the person.

After a period of making cutouts, Fujikura next wanted to paint the scenery of Hokkaido. This was the beginning of his "papier-mâché" works, which are now well known by many people.

KAION" (1992)

Gone were the clear outlines, and even when people were depicted, they were in the background. The focus of his work shifted to landscapes.

For the first two or three years, Fujikura focused on the theme of "winter in Hokkaido," but it was when he started working on the cover of JR's in-train magazine that he began to paint seasonal landscapes.

JR Train Magazine

From 1992 to the present, Fujikura has graced the cover of the in-train magazine, which conveys the joys of Hokkaido's seasons.
As the years go by, his work becomes increasingly detailed, as is evident in his 2020 work, "When Dandelions Bloom.

Fujikura with "When Dandelions Bloom" (2020)

The most difficult part is the scenery reflected on the surface of the water. It's not the same as if the same things are reflected on the surface of the water, but it's a little different. It's a beautiful landscape and interesting as a picture, so I know it's difficult, but I can't stop.

We asked Ms. Fujikura, who spoke with an innocent smile, about her goals for the future.

I want to live my whole life drawing pictures, that's all I want to do. And if I'm going to live painting, I want to be satisfied as much as possible, and I want to create something new and enjoy the feeling of "I found a good work of art! I want to enjoy the feeling of "I found a good work of art! While I'm making it myself. And as you do that, you get more and more involved. I see more and more. When I think about what I'm going to do after I quit my job, I think I'll still be painting.

Niseko in August" (2011)

Hideyuki Fujikura, who became independent at the age of 26 and will soon celebrate his 50th anniversary. His determination and great joy in "painting for a living" continue to produce wonderful works of art.

Please visit the Arishima Memorial Museum to see Mr. Fujikura's works.