Yumiko Furukawa’s ‘Prismatic Existences’ illuminates Guam’s cultural memory

By Ron Rocky Coloma

When Yumiko Furukawa describes her new exhibition, she reaches for light. She compares existence to a prism in the dark, scattering color in every direction. That image became the foundation of “Prismatic Existences,” her latest show on Guam.

“This title reflects my wish to express existence as layered and multifaceted, like light refracted through a prism in the darkness,” Furukawa said. “Each work in the exhibition is created to hold fragments of Guam’s historical memory, cultural experience and emotion. Gathered together in the gallery space, they form a spectrum that suggests remembrance, renewal and hope.”

The exhibition reflects not just one place, but the trajectory of Furukawa’s life and career. She has lived in Japan, New York and now Guam, and each stage has shaped the way she sees color, light and memory.

“I have been influenced by both personal experiences and diverse artistic traditions,” she said. "The works of the Hudson River School, which marked the dawn of American art and explored light and memory, have been an important inspiration. I also hold deep respect for On Kawara, a Japanese artist who settled in New York."

Furukawa is also inspired by her fellow art educators, as well as by daily encounters with the sky, the ocean and the shifting colors of the island.

"In ‘Prismatic Existences,’ these influences appear through the interplay of light, color and layered perspectives," she said.

The exhibition is also designed to spark dialogue. Furukawa said she wants audiences to leave with a sense of reflection, both about Guam’s history and broader questions of coexistence.

“I hope my work invites viewers to pause and reflect on the fragile beauty of daily life, and to consider the meaning of peace,” she said.

“In Guam, I wish to foster dialogue among different communities while honoring cultural memory. Beyond Guam, I hope the exhibition connects to universal questions: how we remember, how we coexist and how art can offer moments of hope and connection across distances.”

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