One of Japan’s most influential neo-pop artists, Yoshitomo Nara uses subjects associated with comics and animation to explore themes of alienation and rebellion.
Inspired by punk rock and manga, Nara draws knife-wielding girls, menacing dogs, and houses in flames to express shared feelings of helplessness and rage. His wide-eyed, devilish characters have infiltrated international pop culture through numerous exhibitions, publications, and consumer products, and have gained Nara cult status among an increasing number of fans.
View Yoshitomo Nara’s gallery page, read an ArtInfo interview with the artist, catch his retrospective at Asia Society in New York, download the iPhone app, and buy the catalogue.
Click through for images and a video interview from the Asia Society show.
Yoshitomo Nara, Oh! My God! I Miss You, 2001, Synthetic polymer paint and pencil on printed paper, 20 x 14 1/4 in. (50.8 x 36.2 cm), The Museum of Modern Art, New York, Purchase, 2004, Digital image © The Museum of Modern Art / Licensed by SCALA / Art Resource, NY.
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