We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of artist and craftsman Hisao Hanafusa (1937–2025) on August 29 at the age of 88. Born in Miyakonojō, Japan, he graduated from Kyoto University of Fine Arts before moving to New York in 1963, where he became part of the city’s vibrant postwar art scene. He exhibited widely, including four group shows at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in the 1970s and 1980s.
Hanafusa’s practice bridged innovation and tradition, from his early tube paintings—dialoguing with Minimalism and Mono-ha—to his later process paintings in aluminum paint, such as the Cosmic Inherent Memory and Fifth Dimension series.
Hanafusa once reflected: “I believe that all humans have uchuiden kioku—cosmic inherent memory. My work is an exploration of the mysteries of my own uchuiden.” His art continues to invite viewers into that exploration, dissolving the boundaries between East and West, material and spirit.
We extend our condolences to his family, friends, and the community of artists, students, and admirers touched by his vision and craft.
