Rufus Lin Gallery of Japanese Art

See Our Permanent Collection

Permanent Collection

About Rufus Lin Gallery of Japanese Art

The Rufus Lin Gallery of Japanese Art has a narrow focus, exhibiting predominantly the work of Japanese artists who have never exhibited outside Japan. All paintings have been purchased or donated by the artists, who live and work in Japan. We are no longer acquiring art, but have in our permanent collection over 150 paintings, which we display in our online, 3D virtual art gallery (curatedartshow.com/lobby/rlg).

The Rufus Lin Gallery of Japanese Art is a philanthropic venture by Canadian painter, musician, and author, Rufus Lin. Founded in 2009, its mission is to exhibit jury-selected paintings by talented Japanese artists, regardless of track record, with explanations of the paintings in English. Outside of Japan, there is no comparable art museum specializing in Japanese contemporary fine art. The permanent collection includes a wide range of work, from nihonga (painted with handmade special pigments) and detailed manga-style pen-and-ink illustrations to incredibly delicate chigirie (hand-torn washi paper collages).

Unlike commercial galleries, which are essentially retail stores selling art, the Rufus Lin Gallery is an art museum that displays fine art, and there are no price tags on the paintings. Online viewing of the exhibits is completely free.

By setting stringent criteria that are applied during the jury selection of work to be exhibited, the gallery avoids featuring Japanese painters schooled in the European tradition who work in a clearly Western style. The selection process prioritizes the quality of the artwork itself over the fame or experience of the artist, allowing even amateurs and art students to have their work exhibited.

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