Fujiwo Ishimoto

Fujiwo Ishimoto (b. 1941) is a Japan-born ceramic artist and textile designer, best known for the patterns he created for Marimekko. Ishimoto first encountered Maija Isola’s designs in Tokyo in the 1960s, and they made such a strong impression on him that he decided to travel to Finland to learn more about Marimekko and Finnish design. He began working at Marimekko in 1974. As a ceramic artist, he started at the Arabia Art Department in 1989.

Ishimoto draws inspiration from the surrounding nature and its phenomena. His restrained visual language is paired with lively surface textures and rich ornamentation. He has received numerous awards, including the Finnish State Award for Industrial Art, the Kaj Franck Design Prize, and Honourable mentions at the Finland Designs exhibition in 1983, 1989 and 1993. In 2011, he was awarded the Pro Finlandia Medal. His ceramic and textile works have been exhibited in several solo and group exhibitions, and he has also designed sets and costumes for opera productions.