Riusuke Fukahori (1973, Aichi, Japan) is an artist who encorporates goldfish in his artwork. Many who see his work for the first time feel the Japanese artists seems to be potentially violating animal cruelty laws, like many other bespoke artists such as Damien Hirst did. But what if I told you the goldfish you see are actually painted?

Fukahori’s very lifelike paintings/sculptures are created in a rather unique way: clear resin is poured into containers with layers of acrylic paint in between. The result appears to be 3D and very lifelike. Last month the ICN Gallery in London showed twenty of Fukahori’s works, the exhibition was titled ‘Goldfish Salvation’. This refers to the artistic struggle Fukahori went through in 2000. Distressed with his career, Fukahori suddenly noticed the abandoned fish tank in his room.

The tank was dirty but the goldfish, which he had owned for 7 years, was still shiny and red. He thought to himself: “I’m sure he will save me” and took out the red paint and painted the figure. This day he named ‘Kingyo sukui’, the day he was saved by the goldfish. Goldfish have since then became the major theme in his work.