"#6 1972" -NOBU FUKUI -Abstract Serigraph -Signed & Numbered -14/100

$4,200.00
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“#6, 1972,” Nobu Fukui (b.1942), serigraph print, 27×22 in, signed & numbered 14/100, abstract composition rooted in Gutai and modernist geometry.

Keyword-Rich Website Description

A rare 1972 limited-edition serigraph by Nobu Fukui, #6, 1972 features layered geometric forms in muted earth tones, signed and numbered 14/100—a collectible example of post-war abstraction influenced by the Gutai movement and American avant-garde printmaking.

Detailed Artwork Description

#6, 1972 by Nobu Fukui is a rich abstract serigraph characterized by its use of geometric form, layered color planes, and a muted palette. The composition centers on a bold polygonal form—an angular ring enclosing a smaller shape—set against a textured field that suggests depth and surface variation. The earth tones of ochre, brown, and gold create a visual warmth while retaining a sophisticated contemporary restraint.

Executed using silk-screen techniques, this piece demonstrates precise layering and registration, producing a balanced interplay between shape and background. The inscription “#6 1972” identifies the work as part of a numbered sequence from that year, and the edition number 14/100 confirms its place in a limited run. The artist’s signature further authenticates the work.

Visually, the print aligns with the abstract vocabulary of mid-20th-century modernism, combining formal clarity with subtle variations in tone and texture. The referenced polygonal elements evoke both architectural structure and organic progression, suggesting movement within repetition. This interplay between system and variation resonates with Fukui’s broader artistic engagement with geometric abstraction and experimental print media.

Artist Biography — Nobu Fukui

Nobu Fukui (born 1942, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese-American artist recognized for his refined abstract printmaking and contributions to post-war modern art. After early life and formative years in Japan, Fukui moved to the United States in the 1960s and enrolled at the Art Students League of New York, where he studied drawing and composition during a period of dynamic artistic exchange in the city.

Fukui’s practice is informed by a blend of European modernism, Japanese avant-garde principles, and American abstraction. He is often associated with the Gutai Art Association, an influential post-war Japanese avant-garde group that championed artistic experimentation, material innovation, and expressive freedom. While Fukui’s work diverged into a more formal, geometric abstraction than some of his more gestural peers, the Gutai spirit of process and material engagement remained a touchstone.

Throughout his career, Fukui explored the expressive possibilities of print media, particularly serigraphy. His limited-edition prints from the late 1960s and early 1970s combine the precision of geometric form with subtle variations in color and surface—effects achieved through layered silk-screen processes. These works often balance the cool logic of abstraction with quietly expressive tonalities.

Fukui’s work was exhibited widely in both the United States and Japan, including in solo and group shows at galleries such as Margaret Thatcher Projects, the Stephen Haller Gallery in New York, and galleries in Tokyo and Osaka. His prints entered prominent private and corporate collections, bringing a cross-cultural voice to the contemporary art dialogues of his time. His oeuvre spans serigraphy, mixed-media work, and later explorations in collage and painterly abstraction.

Nobu Fukui (b.1942) — #6, 1972, serigraph, 27 × 22 in., signed and numbered 14/100. Exceptional example of geometric abstraction in a limited edition, reflecting post-war and Gutai-influenced modernism. Provenance: Mitch Morse Gallery → Artfind Gallery, DC.

Certificate of Value & Authentication

This certifies that #6, 1972 is an original serigraph print by Nobu Fukui, executed in 1972. The print is authenticated by the artist’s signature and edition notation (14/100), and is consistent with known examples of Fukui’s early limited-edition work. Based on quality, rarity, provenance, and market comparables, this work is authentic and collectible.

Provenance Chain (Collector Format)

Nobu Fukui (artist) → Mitch Morse Gallery (publisher/dealer; acquired in NYC, United States and Europe) → Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC (current owner).

#6 1972 by Nobu Fukui is an abstract serigraph that beautifully embodies the vibrant pulse of an artistic revolution. This striking piece, signed and meticulously numbered 14/100, captivates the eye and imagination with its exquisite range of rich tones, featuring deep browns intermingled with shimmering golds that dance across the surface. Measuring a generous 27x22 inches, it stands as a true statement of artistic ambition that deserves a prominent place in any collection. Fukui, still considers himself -in part-a product of the avant-garde Gutai Art Association, channels an energetic and animated style that has garnered him widespread acclaim since the 1960s. The New York Times has heralded his work as both intense, energetic and dynamic, reflecting a continuous drive and passion that has only grown more pronounced and captivating over the years. This artwork, quietly stored for over five decades in the nooks and crannies of a retired NYC Manhattan gallery, not only showcases Fukui's rhythmic grid-like patterns but also whispers enchanting stories of his significant collaborations with the artistic giants of his era (including the composer John Cage, Christo, sculptor Isamu Noguchi and Robert Raushenberg). With each glance at this extraordinary piece, one might evoke a profound sense of connection to the creative discussions that flourished between Fukui and his contemporaries, creating a magnificent bridge between East and West that resonates deeply within the ever-evolving art world, a true homage to the spirit of innovation.

“#6, 1972,” Nobu Fukui (b.1942), serigraph print, 27×22 in, signed & numbered 14/100, abstract composition rooted in Gutai and modernist geometry.

Keyword-Rich Website Description

A rare 1972 limited-edition serigraph by Nobu Fukui, #6, 1972 features layered geometric forms in muted earth tones, signed and numbered 14/100—a collectible example of post-war abstraction influenced by the Gutai movement and American avant-garde printmaking.

Detailed Artwork Description

#6, 1972 by Nobu Fukui is a rich abstract serigraph characterized by its use of geometric form, layered color planes, and a muted palette. The composition centers on a bold polygonal form—an angular ring enclosing a smaller shape—set against a textured field that suggests depth and surface variation. The earth tones of ochre, brown, and gold create a visual warmth while retaining a sophisticated contemporary restraint.

Executed using silk-screen techniques, this piece demonstrates precise layering and registration, producing a balanced interplay between shape and background. The inscription “#6 1972” identifies the work as part of a numbered sequence from that year, and the edition number 14/100 confirms its place in a limited run. The artist’s signature further authenticates the work.

Visually, the print aligns with the abstract vocabulary of mid-20th-century modernism, combining formal clarity with subtle variations in tone and texture. The referenced polygonal elements evoke both architectural structure and organic progression, suggesting movement within repetition. This interplay between system and variation resonates with Fukui’s broader artistic engagement with geometric abstraction and experimental print media.

Artist Biography — Nobu Fukui

Nobu Fukui (born 1942, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese-American artist recognized for his refined abstract printmaking and contributions to post-war modern art. After early life and formative years in Japan, Fukui moved to the United States in the 1960s and enrolled at the Art Students League of New York, where he studied drawing and composition during a period of dynamic artistic exchange in the city.

Fukui’s practice is informed by a blend of European modernism, Japanese avant-garde principles, and American abstraction. He is often associated with the Gutai Art Association, an influential post-war Japanese avant-garde group that championed artistic experimentation, material innovation, and expressive freedom. While Fukui’s work diverged into a more formal, geometric abstraction than some of his more gestural peers, the Gutai spirit of process and material engagement remained a touchstone.

Throughout his career, Fukui explored the expressive possibilities of print media, particularly serigraphy. His limited-edition prints from the late 1960s and early 1970s combine the precision of geometric form with subtle variations in color and surface—effects achieved through layered silk-screen processes. These works often balance the cool logic of abstraction with quietly expressive tonalities.

Fukui’s work was exhibited widely in both the United States and Japan, including in solo and group shows at galleries such as Margaret Thatcher Projects, the Stephen Haller Gallery in New York, and galleries in Tokyo and Osaka. His prints entered prominent private and corporate collections, bringing a cross-cultural voice to the contemporary art dialogues of his time. His oeuvre spans serigraphy, mixed-media work, and later explorations in collage and painterly abstraction.

Nobu Fukui (b.1942) — #6, 1972, serigraph, 27 × 22 in., signed and numbered 14/100. Exceptional example of geometric abstraction in a limited edition, reflecting post-war and Gutai-influenced modernism. Provenance: Mitch Morse Gallery → Artfind Gallery, DC.

Certificate of Value & Authentication

This certifies that #6, 1972 is an original serigraph print by Nobu Fukui, executed in 1972. The print is authenticated by the artist’s signature and edition notation (14/100), and is consistent with known examples of Fukui’s early limited-edition work. Based on quality, rarity, provenance, and market comparables, this work is authentic and collectible.

Provenance Chain (Collector Format)

Nobu Fukui (artist) → Mitch Morse Gallery (publisher/dealer; acquired in NYC, United States and Europe) → Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC (current owner).

#6 1972 by Nobu Fukui is an abstract serigraph that beautifully embodies the vibrant pulse of an artistic revolution. This striking piece, signed and meticulously numbered 14/100, captivates the eye and imagination with its exquisite range of rich tones, featuring deep browns intermingled with shimmering golds that dance across the surface. Measuring a generous 27x22 inches, it stands as a true statement of artistic ambition that deserves a prominent place in any collection. Fukui, still considers himself -in part-a product of the avant-garde Gutai Art Association, channels an energetic and animated style that has garnered him widespread acclaim since the 1960s. The New York Times has heralded his work as both intense, energetic and dynamic, reflecting a continuous drive and passion that has only grown more pronounced and captivating over the years. This artwork, quietly stored for over five decades in the nooks and crannies of a retired NYC Manhattan gallery, not only showcases Fukui's rhythmic grid-like patterns but also whispers enchanting stories of his significant collaborations with the artistic giants of his era (including the composer John Cage, Christo, sculptor Isamu Noguchi and Robert Raushenberg). With each glance at this extraordinary piece, one might evoke a profound sense of connection to the creative discussions that flourished between Fukui and his contemporaries, creating a magnificent bridge between East and West that resonates deeply within the ever-evolving art world, a true homage to the spirit of innovation.

Nobu Fukui

(American/Japanese, born 1942)

Nobu Fukui — Biography

Nobu Fukui (born 1942, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese-American artist whose career spans more than six decades of innovation in painting, printmaking, collage, and mixed media. Widely exhibited in the United States and Asia, Fukui is recognized for his dynamic abstract language that bridges Japanese avant-garde sensibilities with post-war American modernism.

Early Life and Education

Nobu Fukui was born in Tokyo, Japan, in 1942. He immigrated to the United States in 1962, arriving first in Chicago before relocating to New York City in 1963, where he would make his creative home and studio for the remainder of his career. Shortly after arriving in New York, Fukui enrolled at the Art Students League of New York, studying there during the mid-1960s, a period of vibrant artistic exchange and experimentation in the city’s galleries and studios.

Artistic Development and Influences

Fukui’s artistic identity is shaped by a rich fusion of cross-cultural influences. Though trained in traditional techniques, he embraced abstraction early in his career, exploring geometry, surface, and spatial relationships through both painting and printmaking. A key influence on Fukui’s early work was the Gutai Art Association, a revolutionary Japanese avant-garde movement founded in 1954 that emphasized originality, material experimentation, and the integration of performance and process into visual art. Fukui himself has acknowledged his connection to Gutai’s expressive ethos even as his personal style evolved into more structural abstraction.

During the 1960s, Fukui operated within the broader context of American avant-garde circles, where the boundaries between painting, printmaking, and conceptual art were actively being tested. His early work reflects the era’s enthusiasm for abstract form and process, while his later work would expand into collage and mixed media. Throughout his career, Fukui maintained a versatile approach, refusing to be confined to a single stylistic category.

Artistic Style and Mediums

Fukui is perhaps best known for his abstract serigraphs and prints, often limited editions that explore the interplay between geometric structure and color field. Works such as those produced in 1972 (e.g., #3, 1972 and #6, 1972) demonstrate his refined use of layered shapes and muted tones, balancing precision and expressive depth. These serigraphs reflect both mid-century abstraction and a personal visual logic grounded in simplicity and resonance.

His practice is not limited to printmaking. Fukui also creates paintings, collage works, and mixed media pieces, often utilizing layered surfaces and textured backgrounds. His later works incorporate elements of pop culture, collage techniques, and even influence from anime and manga imagery, expanding his visual vocabulary while maintaining a cohesive abstract sensibility.

Career and Exhibitions

Fukui has exhibited extensively in the United States and internationally. He has been featured in solo and group exhibitions in major New York venues, including Margaret Thatcher Projects and the Stephen Haller Gallery, where his work was shown repeatedly over many years. According to exhibition records, highlights of his show history include:

  • “Nobu Fukui: New Works and Old Friends,” The Gibson Gallery, SUNY Potsdam (2020)

  • “Nobu Fukui: Paradise,” Margaret Thatcher Projects, Chelsea, New York (2018)

  • “Nobu Fukui: I Am the Fire,” Margaret Thatcher Projects, Chelsea, New York (2015)

  • Multiple exhibitions at Stephen Haller Gallery, Chelsea, New York

His work has been included in group exhibitions spanning several decades and continues to be represented in shows that explore post-war to contemporary abstraction.

Collections and Recognition

Fukui’s work appears in notable public and museum collections. Examples include the New Britain Museum of American Art, the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the Kyoto National Museum of Modern Art, and the Tokyo Museum of Modern Art, among others.

Critics have reviewed his work in respected publications including The New York Times, Art in America, and Art News, among others. His paintings and prints are recognized for their energetic yet disciplined approach, combining abstract visual language with a quiet internal logic.

Legacy and Approach

Fukui’s artistic philosophy emphasizes exploration over categorization. In his own words, his work has evolved without concern for strict stylistic labels—abstract, representational, or conceptual—and instead reflects a lifelong commitment to visual language and creative discovery.

Living and working in New York City, Fukui continues to bridge cultures—drawing on his Japanese roots, his identity as an American artist, and global contemporary art dialogues. His career exemplifies a sustained engagement with modernist abstraction, enriched by a willingness to experiment across media and methods.

Citations

• Artsy — Nobu Fukui artist profile
• Rak Art Foundation — Nobu Fukui collection profile
• First Person: Nobu Fukui, Tilted Arc (artist interview)
• SUNY Potsdam, Gibson Gallery exhibition coverage
• Exhibition histories from Margaret Thatcher Projects and Stephen Haller Gallery

Selected Solo Exhibitions

2020

2018

2015

2014

2013

2008

Selected Group Exhibitions

2024

2023

2021

2019

2017

2016

2015

Timeline

1964–1965

ART STUDENTS LEAGUE, New York, NY

Exhibitions

2009

CONTINUUM, Stephen Haller Gallery, New York

2008

CONFLUENCE Stephen Haller Gallery, New York, NY

2008

Words Become Pictures (catalogue) Molloy College Art Gallery, Rockville Centre, NY

2008

Constant Aesthetic 2008 Stephen Haller Gallery, New York, NY

2007

ART20 2007 The Park Avenue Armory, New York, NY

2007

Color! Stephen Haller Gallery, New York, NY

2007

Stephen Haller Gallery, New York, NY (solo)

2006

Stephen Haller Gallery, New York, NY (solo)

2006

ART20 2006 The Park Avenue Armory, New York, NY

2006

Solstice Stephen Haller Gallery, New York, NY

2005

Focal Point Stephen Haller Gallery, New York, NY

2005

Asian Fusion Stephen Haller Gallery, New York, NY

2004

Resounding Spirit – Japanese Contemporary Art of the 1960s, Gibson Gallery, Postdam, NY

2004

Stephen Haller Gallery, New York, NY (solo)

2004

Gallery Camino Real, Boca Raton, FL (solo)

1999

Central Fine Arts, Inc. New York, NY (solo)

1995

Barbara Scott Gallery, Bay Harbor Island, FL (solo)

1993

Marisa Del Re Gallery, New York, NY (solo)

1993

Jan Baum Gallery, Los Angeles, CA (solo)

1993

Hokin Gallery, Palm Beach, FL (solo)

1993

David Klein Gallery, Birmingham, MI (solo)

Literature

2008

Catching the Imagination in Language and Imagery, B. Genocchio, New York Times, February 24, 2008

2008

The Eye Can Be Drawn..., Ariella Budick, NEWSDAY, March 14, 2008

2007

Dizzy Superheros, Michael Tyson Murphy, VILLAGE VOICE, June 21, 2007

2007

Nobu Fukui - Looking Forward - at Stephen Haller Gallery, ART KNOWLEDGE NEWS, June 12, 2007

2005

States of Stability, Carter Ratcliff, ART IN AMERICA. May 2005

2004

Nobu Fukui, Grace Glueck, THE NEW YORK TIMES, May 14, 2004

2004

A Man of Spirited Exploration, Priya Malhotra, ASIAN ART NEWS, November/December, 2004

2004

Gallery Going – Nobu Fuki, David Cohen, THE NEW YORK SUN, April 22, 2004

2000

Nobu Fukui at Central Fine Arts, Eleanor Heartney, ART IN AMERICA, February 2000

1993

Nobu Fukui, Henry Geldzahler, Marisa Del Re Gallery exhibition catalog, 1993

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