On leave fall 2024 & spring 2025
Ryuta Nakajima was born in Tokyo, Japan, and grew up in various countries around the world, including Lebanon, Kuwait, Switzerland, Egypt, and Japan. He is currently a Professor in the Department of Art and Design at the University of Minnesota Duluth.
Nakajima received his MFA from the University of California, San Diego in 1997 and earned a Ph.D. in Design from Kyushu University in 2019. He is also an ordained priest in Esoteric Buddhism.
Bridging the fields of biology and art, Nakajima has published scientific papers on cephalopod behavior while exploring the aesthetics and design found in this unique class of animals. His artistic practice spans painting, sculpture, and installation.
He is also deeply engaged in environmental conservation and social reform through a variety of initiatives. In 2004, he joined the Bicycle Film Festival as a curator, promoting the joy of cycling as a means to reduce carbon emissions and improve public health in urban areas.
In 2015, he founded the Okinawa Seaside Laboratory, which focuses on coral reef conservation. Working closely with local scientists and educators, he organizes lectures and workshops—especially for children from underprivileged backgrounds.
Locally, Nakajima collaborates with Minnesota and Wisconsin Sea Grant programs to produce a traveling exhibition and zine titled “Black Gold,” which raises awareness about the conservation of freshwater ecosystems in the Great Lakes region.
Most recently, he launched Kwahuu Ocean, a startup based in Okinawa, Japan, which is the world’s first squid aquaculture company where he serves as a CEO.