Hideaki Fujimoto

painter
©︎Hideaki Fujimoto
painter
Painting as Phenomenon
Hideaki Fujimoto explores the possibilities of painting through a method that builds up the picture surface by layering and grinding acrylic paint. His compositions range from the representational to the non-representational, yet all share a common quality of color and matière.
Born in Akashi, Hyogo Prefecture, Fujimoto developed an early fascination with vehicles and machinery that grew into a longing to "make things." This led him to AKASHI National College of Technology, where he studied mechanical engineering; his graduation research examined the wear of NBC cutting tools in metal processing, and the textures and imagery of metal he observed under an electron microscope during that research continue to inform his work today.While still a student, he grew increasingly drawn to design and graphic art, and decided to change course, transferring to the Department of Industrial Design (now the Department of Design Engineering), School of Engineering, Chiba University, where he studied design more broadly. For his graduation project, he worked in a fine art research laboratory, producing paintings.
After graduating, he worked at a design office and gained other professional experience before once again deciding to pursue painting. He enrolled in the Department of Oil Painting at Musashino Art School, spending two years relearning the fundamentals of painting and completing the program in March 1997. He moved to Naha, Okinawa immediately afterward, and has been based there, continuing his practice, ever since.
Having long been drawn to painting's layered structure, uniqueness, and physicality, Fujimoto arrived in 1999 at his signature technique: building the picture surface by layering acrylic paint and grinding it down with sandpaper. Since then, while continuing to explore a range of visual styles, he has consistently pursued what he calls the "layered magic" hidden within painting.
In recent years, he has also actively presented and sold his work online, including through e-commerce platforms and art subscription services.
1969 Born in Akashi, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
1990 Graduated from AKASHI National College of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering
1993 Graduated from Chiba University, School of Engineering, Department of Industrial Design (now Department of Design Engineering)
1997 Completed the Department of Oil Painting, Musashino Art School
Relocated to Naha, Okinawa, and began his practice as a painter
1999 Established his signature technique of layering and grinding acrylic paint
Held first solo exhibition at Naha Civic Gallery
Lives and works in Naha, Okinawa
2007 MONTBLANC Young Artist Patronage Program In Japan
2004 The 17th HOLBEIN SCHOLARSHIP
2001 Nomura Cultural Foundation Grant
2026 “Wall Exhibition vol.4 Fujimoto Hideaki -Layers of Time-” Miyagiya (Okinawa)
2025 “Nekology at Nekoroji- vol.2 Fujimoto Hideaki Solo Exhibition” Shoshi Wagahaido (Fukuoka)
2021 “Fujimoto Hideaki Painting Exhibition” D & DEPARTMENT OKINAWA by PLAZA3 (Okinawa)
2020 “Nekology at Nekoroji- Fujimoto Hideaki Solo Exhibition” Shoshi Wagahaido (Fukuoka)
2018 “The Day It Becomes a Tree (Complete Edition)” Gallery Atos (Okinawa)
2016 “Close up View, Distant View vol.2” GALLERY ATOS (Okinawa)
2013 “Fujimoto Hideaki Exhibition: Paintings as Objects Vol. 2-” Tokyo Kaikan Gallery (Tokyo)
2011 “Close up View, Distant View ” GALLERY ATOS (Okinawa)
2010 “Fujimoto Hideaki Exhibition” Gallery Yamaki Fine Art (Kobe)
2008 “The Return of Going for The Remained Heat” gallery rougheryet (Okinawa)
“Going for The Remained Hea” Gallery Artelier (Fukuoka) *Fukuoka City Cultural Promotion Foundation Grant Program
“Fujimoto Hideaki Exhibition -Paintings as Objects-” Tokyo Kaikan Gallery (Tokyo)
2006 “Chirudaibana” gallery rougheryet (Okinawa)
2005 “Link to Extinction” gallery rougheryet (Okinawa)
2004 “Reunion 2” gallery rougheryet (Okinawa)
“Reunion” gallery rougheryet (Okinawa)
2001 “The Day It Becomes a Tree” Gallery Yamaguchi (Tokyo) *Exhibition fee subsidy from the Nomura Foundation for Cultural Promotion
1999 Naha Civic Gallery (Okinawa)
2026 “Boundaries of Existence - Abstract Expression by 4 Artists” emmy Art+ (Tokyo)
2025-26 “Horizons of Sensibility - Visual Gateways from Okinawa” Gallery Yamaki Fine Art (Kobe)
2025 “Tiger 88 Art Fair 2025” ART HOUSE 88 (Fukuoka)
2025 “ArtSticker Showcase” Art or Rice Noodle or Paichu (Tokyo)
2023 “Paintings and This and That” Galleria del 2° Piano/ 2nd Floor Gallery (Hiroshima)
2022 “Beyond The New Border Series #3 Online and Real Exhibition/ Spring Summer Fall and Winter Flowers 2022” ART BASE 88 (Fukuoka)
2021 “Beyond The New Border 2nd Series “Online and Real Exhibitions/Spring Summer Autumn and Winter Flowers 2021” PLAN406 (Fukuoka)
2020 “Beyond The New Border Series #1 “Online and Real Exhibition/Spring Summer Autumn and Winter Flowers 2020” Konya Gallery (Fukuoka) ※
2019 “8th Rokka File” Rikka Bunko (Sapporo)
2015 “TRUE COLORS” GALLERY TORIKO (Shizuoka)
“Colors and Lines: Fujimoto Hideaki and Momohara Sukako Art Exhibition” Ryubo Art Salon (Okinawa)
2010 “Nekobi Returns” ART BASE 88 (Fukuoka)
“ART OSAKA 2010” Dojima Hotel (Osaka)
2009 “101 TOKYO Contemporary Art Fair” Akiba Square (Tokyo)
2008 “Passage and Space : Transit Room” Gallery Artelier (Fukuoka)
2006 “VOCA2006” Ueno Royal Museum (Tokyo)
“100 Paintings” Gallery Artelier (Fukuoka)
2005 “Wonder Seed” Tokyo Wonder Site (Tokyo)
2004 “Daikanyama Art Fair 2004” Hillside Forum (Tokyo)
2003 “Daikanyama Art Fair 2003” Hillside Forum (Tokyo)
Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Group Holdings (U.S.A.) Inc./New York Office
Kokura Daiichi Hospital
Hilton Okinawa Miyakojima Resort
HOSHINOYA RESORT OKINAWA
Miyako Hotel Hakata
Hyatt Regency Seragaki Island Okinawa
JAL Naha Airport Sakura Lounge
Expert Office Shinagawa
Palace Hotel Tokyo
DFS Okinawa
Montblanc GBU Japan