After graduating from Aichi Art University Department of Design in 1995, Riusuke Fukahori (on FB) has pursued artwork full-time. In 2000, when his career reached a low point, he suddenly became fascinated by his goldfish—which despite being abandoned for seven years was still alive.

The artist calls this incident “Goldfish Salvation.” Without restricting himself to one genre, he creates diverse expressions with the exclusive subject matter of goldfish.

Artist Statement

I think of goldfish as a living sculpture with man-made modifications. It never reaches the completed form; the goldfish’s vulnerability and imperfections bring out our motherly instinct.

I’ve been bewitched with the strong energy of life of goldfish that has inherited mutations for more than 1500 years, continuously changing forms by man’s hands.

I’ve been depicting an uncountable numbers of goldfish in my work, but the mysterious pull towards goldfish will never die for me. The impulse of exploration, “What are goldfish” drives me to create more.

Where and how they want to swim, and what they think; these are the questions that I’ve been asking myself when I paint goldfish. I believe this process will help breathe life into the goldfish in my works.

Here you can see more of his art, it is beautiful.