Waku Fukui solo exhibition「在在 (Zaizai)」

Jan 23, 2025 — Exhibition: Solo

Waku Fukui.「像」形光. 2025. 10mm glass tubes, krypton gas, stainless steel, rubber sheet, wood. 1750 × 1100 × 600 mm. Courtesy of Gallery Common.

From January 25 to February 23, 2025, Gallery Common is pleased to present Zaizai, an exhibition of new works by Waku Fukui.

The artist’s first full-scale solo exhibition in 2 years marks a stark evolution in his exploration of neon light as a medium. Professionally trained as a neon craftsman, Fukui’s sculptural approach to neon light in this exhibition features new elements such as hand-welded steel armatures and found objects. This new development represents Fukui’s discovery of organic expression– a radical transformation in his attempt at “setting light free,” and a further manifestation of the artist’s pursuit of a profound experience of introspection and emotional resonance.

Zaizai (在在), a Japanese word which means “everywhere,” refers to Fukui’s pursuit of an all-encompassing, transcendental experience of light. To this end, using abstraction as a means to “decontextualize” light has been a central aim of his practice, resulting in works that reject symbolism or figuration.

While this philosophy has remained unchanged, Fukui has since adopted an intuitive approach to creation that embraces spontaneity– a marked change from his previous methodical process. The artist’s newfound mastery of metalsmithing, a skill he once had to outsource, has allowed him to experiment even further with shape and space, resulting in the creation of steel bases that bear the traces of human touch. Various materials and objects that caught the artist’s attention during the production process were also freely incorporated.

The organic, irregular shapes of these components reflect Fukui’s new appreciation of extemporaneous, natural occurrences. Wavy sheets of metal, steel beads, and glistening fabric reflect fragments of light, while in other works, neon beams float in midair on metal legs, their electrical wires draping down like loose vines.

These three-dimensional structures are born in synergy with the neon light forms and the site of installation– sometimes before, after, or at the same time as one another– functioning as representations of the live dialogue that occurs between the artist, neon light, metal, found materials, and the final installation space. The artist also describes music as another indispensable component for inciting emotion and opening up the imagination. Emphasizing the aspect of time and the involvement of all the senses, a song will accompany each of the works in this exhibition.

Waku Fukui.「像」形光. 2025. 10mm glass tubes, krypton gas, stainless steel, rubber sheet, wood. 1750 × 1100 × 600 mm.

Fukui continues to reference his upbringing in a Buddhist temple family, and his formative experiences of light’s sacred energy within those temples, as the backdrop from which his works are born. This subconscious influence can be seen in the artist’s commitment to making space and time essential components in his works– without which they would simply become objects. When lined up like products, or severed from space and time in photographs, the works lose their defining quality as atmospheric sites, and turn into empty things devoid of any aura. One could say that it is the aura and experience of the work, rather than just the object itself, that is the final work of art.

Through this intimate relationship with light, matter, space, and sound, Fukui seeks to create artworks that function dually as immersive environments which can incite his ideal “experience of deep emotion.” In transcending physical objects, Fukui’s works become portals to a heightened awareness of time, space, and emotion. The exhibition invites viewers into this otherworldly realm where materiality dissolves into pure atmosphere.

Waku Fukui.「像」形光. 2025. 12mm glass tubes, argon gas, aluminum, stainless steel. 1130 × 2015 × 390 mm. Courtesy of Gallery Common.

Waku Fukui.「音」同. 2025. 12mm glass tubes, argon gas, aluminum, stainless steel. 2105 × 1045 × 950 mm Courtesy of Gallery Common.

Waku Fukui

Waku Fukui was born in Tokyo in 1996, where he currently lives and works. Fukui's practice centers around the exploration of neon light. Using the medium to challenge our understanding of material, form, and element, Fukui probes into deeper questions about how we perceive and relate to the world.

In 2017, he began training as a craftsman at Shimada Neon, one of the leading factories in Japan, before eventually moving to New York where he studied under the tutelage of distinguished neon specialist David Ablon, who also worked on pieces by the late 20th century artist Nam June Paik. Following his training period, Fukui returned to Japan and established his neon sign studio Gokou while continuing to pursue his artistic practice, and in 2024, he established Gokou Studio, an experimental space for young artists.

Recent activities include the solo exhibition Sobokukou at CON_ and Domicile Tokyo (2022) and the solo exhibitions Afterimage (2022) and In Person (2020) at Gallery Common, among others.