Hiroki Fukushima passed away peacefully at his home in San Francisco on August 21, 2024.

He lived fully every moment dedicated to his artistic work and family.  During his last days, he was in close company with his wife, Michiko Fukushima and second oldest daughter, Marina Fukushima.

Hiroki Fukushima (born in Yamaguchi, Japan) was a metal artist who worked primarily with iron, copper, and aluminum to create free-standing and hanging sculptures and functional objects for 56 years.  He graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts, where he received a BFA in Crafts and MFA in Metal Hammering. In 1974, he established his own art studio “Rottan” in Yokohama, Japan and did commission works for architectural spaces, homes, restaurants, temples, and museums throughout Japan.  Work included: sculpture, wall relief, door, gate, grating, signage, lighting fixture, and craft.

In 2012, he immigrated to the United States to live in San Francisco and work and teach at the Crucible in Oakland, CA.

His works were influenced by introspection, his family, and the people around him capturing the ways of living, inner feelings, and relationships to society. His project series include: “Pressure”, “Person/People”, and “Reflection”.  His wish was that his art become the entry point for the viewers to feel and think about life and various relationship to people and society.  His works are currently exhibited at Gallery Japonesque (SF), Suzuki Gallery (Tokyo), Narukawa Museum Shop (Kanagawa), and Asian Art Museum Store (SF).

Numerous of his artistic creations can viewed on his website:

During his time in the Bay Area, the Crucible became a special place for him where he could explore and expand his artistic process in the new environment and connect with other artists and community.  He enjoyed going to the Crucible everyday.