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Yoshitomo Nara

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b. 1959, Japan

Yoshitomo Nara (b. 1959, Hirosaki, Aomori, Japan) graduated from Aichi University of the Arts with a master's degree in 1987, completing further studies at the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf. He resided in Cologne until 2000, when he returned to Japan. Since the mid-1990s, Nara has exhibited around the world and has worked with a range of institutions, from small independent art spaces to internationally renowned galleries and museums. For Nara, the type of institution or the size of a space matters less than how connected he feels with its environment. His approach to art is also similarly dependent on his sense of connection with its making. His paintings are expressions of colour that breathe life into his bold images, his sculptures bear traces of his fingers that have shaped their forms, and his drawings capture the spontaneity of his daily thoughts. Nara has also exhibited his photographic works, which depict his life and travels.

Recent Exhibitions

Contemporary art exhibition, Yoshitomo Nara, Pinacoteca at Pace Gallery, London, United Kingdom Closed 26 November 2021–15 January 2022 Yoshitomo Nara Pinacoteca London
Contemporary art exhibition, Yoshitomo Nara, Stars at Pace Gallery, Hong Kong, SAR, China Closed 13 March–25 April 2015 Yoshitomo Nara Stars Hong Kong

Recent Artworks

In the Puddle by Yoshitomo Nara contemporary artwork painting, works on paper, drawing
Yoshitomo Nara In the Puddle, 2021 Pencil on paper
65 x 50 cm
Pace Gallery
No Nukes Song by Yoshitomo Nara contemporary artwork works on paper
Yoshitomo Nara No Nukes Song, 2021 Pencil on paper
65 x 50 cm
Pace Gallery
Hello Goodbye Fuck You by Yoshitomo Nara contemporary artwork works on paper
Yoshitomo Nara Hello Goodbye Fuck You, 2021 Pencil on paper
65 x 50 cm
Pace Gallery
Peace on Your Feet by Yoshitomo Nara contemporary artwork painting, works on paper, drawing
Yoshitomo Nara Peace on Your Feet, 2004 Coloured pencil and acrylic on paper
132.3 x 115.8 cm
Pace Gallery
Untitled by Yoshitomo Nara contemporary artwork painting, works on paper, drawing
Yoshitomo Nara Untitled, 2004–2005 Colour pencil and ink on paper or envelope
45 x 140 x 90 cm
Pace Gallery

Yoshitomo Nara In Ocula Magazine

Read More (5)
Jadé Fadojutimi: 'When I change, the work changes' Ocula Conversation Jadé Fadojutimi: 'When I change, the work changes' By Tessa Moldan, London

Jadé Fadojutimi discusses her interest in Japan, relationship to London, and the joys of teaching painting.

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Phillips' Sales Exceed $500 Million in First Half of 2021 Ocula News Phillips' Sales Exceed $500 Million in First Half of 2021 New York, 5 August 2021

The result bettered their sales in the first half of 2019 by a quarter.

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Yoshitomo Nara Installation Fetches Record $15.5m at Poly Auction in Hong Kong Ocula News Yoshitomo Nara Installation Fetches Record $15.5m at Poly Auction in Hong Kong Hong Kong, 30 April 2021

The work is the second most expensive Nara ever sold at auction.

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Yoshitomo Nara at LACMA, Los Angeles Ocula Photolog Yoshitomo Nara at LACMA, Los Angeles

Yoshitomo Nara presents the artist's work spanning over 30 years, including never-before-exhibited sketches and Nara's collection of album covers, reflecting the artist's long-term inspiration from music.

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Ocula Magazine Read More (5) In Ocula Magazine

Yoshitomo Nara In Ocula Advisory

Yoshitomo Nara at Pace Gallery Following Market Explosion Advisory Pick Yoshitomo Nara at Pace Gallery Following Market Explosion

Yoshitomo Nara's innocent-looking figures, now on view at Pace Gallery in London, have fetched record prices in recent years.

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Yoshitomo Nara In Related Press

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Yoshitomo Nara Becomes Most Expensive Japanese Artist as His 'Knife Behind Back' Sells for Record-Smashing HK$195m Related Press Yoshitomo Nara Becomes Most Expensive Japanese Artist as His 'Knife Behind Back' Sells for Record-Smashing HK$195m 14 October 2020, The Value

Yoshitomo Nara takes centre stage on the second day of Hong Kong auction week as his records were broken shortly one after another today. His installation art _Not Everything but/ Green House _was sol

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Yoshitomo Nara’s Lessons in Clay Related Press Yoshitomo Nara’s Lessons in Clay 17 August 2018, Elephant Magazine

Yoshitomo Nara loves mountains—a lingering fixation stemming from his birthplace in mountainous northern Japan. But it is at his own gallery space, N's YARD in Nasushiobara, where I meet with the art

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Hong Kong's Art Central Fair Won't Shy Away From Controversial Commentary Related Press Hong Kong's Art Central Fair Won't Shy Away From Controversial Commentary 28 February 2018, Forbes

Donald Trump will make an appearance of sorts at this year’s Art Central fair in Hong Kong. Visitors will find him in a 1930s-style living room hidden among the gallery booths filled with abstract pai

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ARTISTS ‘I Was Really Unthinking Before’: Yoshitomo Nara on His Recent Work and His Show at Pace Gallery in New York Related Press ARTISTS ‘I Was Really Unthinking Before’: Yoshitomo Nara on His Recent Work and His Show at Pace Gallery in New York 14 April 2017, ARTNEWS

The cartoonish children and animals featured in Yoshitomo Nara's drawings, paintings, and sculptures enjoy widespread appeal because of their very adult bad attitudes. Whether the characters wield gui

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Related Press Read More (18) In Related Press
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