Shigeo Fukuda

was a sculptor, medallist, graphic artist and poster designer who created optical illusions. He is one of Japan's most well-known post-war graphic designers. He is known to be an environmentalist and anti-war, for he designed posters on these social issues. His art pieces usually portray deception, such as Lunch With a Helmet On, a sculpture created entirely from forks, knives, and spoons, that casts a detailed shadow of a motorcycle.

Career Fukuda was born on February 4, 1932, in Tokyo to a family that was involved in manufacturing toys. After the end of World War II, he became interested in the minimalist Swiss Style of graphic design, and graduated from Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music in 1956. The Art Directors Club noted the "bitingly satirical commentary on the senselessness of war" shown in "Victory 1945", which won him the grand prize at the 1975 Warsaw Poster Contest, a competition whose proceeds went to the Peace Fund Movement. This exhibition is what introduced Fukuda to a large variety of the recognition which he has gained.

Mr. Fukuda served as a Vice President of the Executive Board for the Icograda community from 1993-1995, making him quite a respected member. He was also formerly a vice chairman of the International Council of Graphic Design Associations and vice chairman of the Japanese Graphic Designers Association and also served as a member of Alliance Graphique International and of Tokyo Art Directors Club.

His home outside Tokyo featured a front door that would appear far away from someone approaching the house. This door was a visual trick, with the actual entrance to the house being an unornamented white door designed to blend in seamlessly with the walls of the house.

Family His daughter, Miran Fukuda (福田 美蘭), is a painter, and his father-in-law, Yoshio Hayashi (林 義雄), is a painter for children.

Portfolio

Mural at the Gymnasium of Taishido Junior High School, Tokyo Grapes Love Story (1973) Man (1974) Woman (1974) Cat/Mouse (1974) Encore (1976) Three-Dimensional Belvedere (1982) Underground Piano (1984) Venus in a Mirror (1984) Disappearing Pillar (1985) Three-Dimensional Model of Escher's Waterfall (1985) Lunch With a Helmet On (1987) Aquarium for Swimming Characters (1988)