Rufus Lin Gallery of Japanese Art

The Rufus Lin Gallery of Japanese Art is the realization of one person’s vision of a world that is becoming increasingly borderless, in many senses of the word. The vision is of a world in which not just scholars, but the general public can have access to the largely inscrutable, rarely seen and little understood aspects of Japanese fine art and contemporary Japanese ideas about beauty.

In making this vision a reality, the gallery refreshingly counteracts the ubiquity of popular Japanese culture, demonstrating that the Japanese esthetic goes far deeper than manga and anime.

For over 20 years, Rufus Lin has nurtured the hope that one day, he would be able to introduce the general public in Canada and the USA to some of the characteristic Japanese esthetic sensibilities embodied in contemporary Japanese painting, particularly work based on themes about Japan, Japanese people and Japanese culture. After achieving some measure of success with his English-Japanese translation firm, Kakkazan Innovations Inc., Rufus Lin went on to focus on his own painting, writing, photography and music activities, eventually culminating in the establishment of the Rufus Lin Gallery of Japanese Art in 2009.

By setting stringent criteria that are applied during the jury selection of work to be exhibited, the gallery steers clear of the many Japanese painters who have been schooled in the European tradition and who work in a clearly Western style. The selection criteria place no emphasis on the fame and experience of the artist, focusing instead on the work itself, and so even paintings by amateurs and art students are exhibited.

Unlike many commercial “art galleries”, which are no more than retail stores selling art, the Rufus Lin Gallery of Japanese Art is a proper fine art museum that does not operate as a commercial gallery, but instead uses its exhibition space to show splendid works of art from Japan, all of which are on loan from, or donated by, their respective artists. A selection of paintings from the permanent collection of work by Rufus Lin is also always on display.

Rufus Lin Gallery
A division of Kakkazan Innovations Inc. (a Canadian federal corporation established in 2000). Registered business licence with the City of Richmond, BC.

Address: N400-5811 Cooney Road, Richmond BC, CANADA V6X 3M1
E-mail: info@rufuslingallery.com

Opening Hours: Admission is by prior appointment only. No drop-ins or solicitation please. We appreciate your understanding.

If, like us, you believe in the work we are doing to introduce Japanese artists to North American art lovers, please consider supporting the gallery. We are not set up as a charity, so all donations received will be used for operating expenses; a regular commercial receipt can be issued on request. We are very grateful for the support of our friends and patrons.