A Los Angeles-based graffiti artist and member of LA graffiti crews K2S and KGB, Gajin Fujita, who blends Eastern techniques and elements (anime, ukiyo-e; geishas, demons) with Western urban imagery, and has exhibited at galleries and museums such as LACMA and L.A. Louver Gallery, as well as at European venues – plumbs his own psychological depths only to discover what makes him love work and life.
What historical art figure would you like to have lunch with and why? Caravaggio and Yoshitoshi to see what they would eat for lunch.
What did you purchase with the proceeds from your first sale? I don’t think I purchased much, I must’ve reinvested in more paint and materials.
Ether
What words or phrases do you overuse? “Fuck,” “Man,” and “Shit.”
How do you know when a work is finished? When I have completed filling all the details in and also when I get a visceral sense of completion.
Forget Me Not (Chitose Fujita)
When and where were you happiest? When I had my studio at my mom’s because I was able to share quality time with my mom and to top it off had home-cooked Japanese food almost every day.
What is your most treasured possession? The present is my most treasured possession.
Where is your ideal escape destination? Galapagos Islands.
Game of Drones (GOD)
What’s the worst survival job you’ve ever had? Airline ticket messenger.
What TV series from your youth best describes your approach to life? The Little Rascals.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Give myself wings so I can fly.
What is your most treasured memory? Going on fishing trips with my dad.
Mere Mortal
What makes you smile? When I get to see light of day and my family and friends.
What makes you cry? When people hurt each other, and other life on earth.
What is your go-to drink when you toast to a sale? Japanese whiskey.
No Man’s LAnd
After an all-nighter, what’s your breakfast of champions? Instant noodles with an egg.
Who inspires you? Mike Tyson, Kobe Bryant, and Shohei Ohtani.
What’s your best quality? My smile.
What’s your biggest flaw? Addictive personality.
Study of No Man’s Land (Coyote)
What is your current state of mind? Grateful that I’m alive and breathing.
What do you consider your greatest achievement? That I get to make art for a living.
Home Field LA
If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what would it be? As a person that can heal the ills of this world.
Cover image: the artist in his studio, photograph by Sheldon Butler, courtesy of L.A. Louver.
Visit the artist at Instagram or at L.A. Louver.
