Gajin Fujita is a graffiti artist whose work transcends boundaries and seamlessly blends the rich tapestry of Japanese tradition with the vibrant energy of Western urban culture.
In this episode, Fujita talks about his early days as a graffiti artist in tagging crews like KGB and KIIS and his current status as a major star in LA's downtown art scene. He also shares how he blends Japanese techniques and symbols with Western urban pop culture to create visually contrasting masterpieces that transcend space and time.
Born in 1972, Gajin Fujita is the son of Japanese parents – a fine art painter father and art conservator mother – who raised him and his brothers in Boyle Heights, a historic immigrant neighborhood just east of Downtown Los Angeles and the L.A. River. As a teenager, Fujita became fascinated with graffiti, joining the tagging crews KGB (Kidz Gone Bad) and KIIS (Kill to Succeed).
Through graffiti, Fujita followed his own path towards fine art and received his BA from Otis College of Art & Design, Los Angeles, and his MFA from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he found mentorship under art critic Dave Hickey. Reverence for Japanese art history and pride for his identity as an L.A. native assert equal importance in Fujita’s work. Lauded by Christopher Knight of the Los Angeles Times as “the most important 21st-century iteration of graffiti’s influence on art,” Fujita’s paintings incorporate graffiti language, traditional iconography drawn from Edo-period woodblock prints, and symbols of West Coast culture.
Illuminating humanity through laughter and narratives | 3x34
Geeranan Chuersanga: Connecting Global Thai Community through Art | 3x33
Envisioning Connectivity and Redefinition in the World of Public Relations | 3x32
Fostering Connection and Positivity through Coffee Culture and Heartwarming Content | 3x31
Kathy Khang: Inspiring Change, One Voice at a Time | 3x30
Empowering communities, uplifting futures: Dante Dauz, a Catalyst for Change | 3x29
Spreading Smiles and Joy: Kathleen Kim’s Sesame Street Magic | 3x28
Flavors Unleashed: Cheetie Kumar’s Culinary Adventure | 3x27
Shaping the World of Autobiographical Comics and Amplifying Underrepresented Voices | 3x26
Capturing the Essence of Celebrities in Timeless Portraits through the Lens of Peter Yang | 3x25
Breaking Barriers, Shaping Champions: A Trailblazer on the Softball Field | 3x24
Embrace the Power of Persuasion with Mx. SHI: Redefining Drag, Inspiring Change | 3x23
Uncovering roots, shaping legacies: A journey of identity and healing | 3x22
Breaking Barriers, Challenging Norms with Laughter | 3x21
Unleashing Potential, Igniting Change, Embracing the Difference | 3x20
Empowering Communities, Embracing Diversity: A Leader for Equity and Inclusion | 3x19
Touching hearts with uncomfortable truths through storytelling
Finding Her Voice Through Animation | 3x17
Paving the Road for Younger Gymnasts | 3x16
First Step Into the Film Industry | 3x15
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Modern West
Just Dumb Enough Podcast
Voices of Misery Podcast
House of Whimsical Terror
Stuff You Should Know
Timcast IRL