Asia Society has recently opened an exhibition displaying Yoshitomo Nara’s “Nobody’s Fool” and many of his early works, which is the first time contemporary art has taken over this museum. Yoshitomo Nara’s artwork has been exhibiting all around the world ever since the 1980’s, including Japan, Europe, and the United States.
Click here for an overview of “Nobody’s Fool”.
Yoshitomo Nara is an extremely unique artist because first of all, all of his artworks are of cartoon-ish animals (mainly dogs) and children who first appear to be “cute and cuddly” until weapons are seen in these characters’ hands sometimes along with various face expressions, from what seems to be heavy eyelids as a result from tiredness or undiluted hate. There are many different interpretations to the messages Nara wants to convey through his art. Some critics suggest that Nara is illustrating the childhood emotions and memories and their persistence through life, while it may be just the fact that innocent children are placed in a world full of violence. His artwork may also be a stem from his lonely childhood and love for rock music as many of his artworks have obvious connections to songs such as The Ramones’ “Blitzkrieg Bop”. Whatever the message is, he has attracted an audience because Nara has even earned himself a cult to follow him.
Yoshitomo Nara's "The Girl With the Knife in Her Hand"
Although Nara’s artwork may seem somewhat infantile, its message is much more powerful and stunning.
This is a new artist for me, and one that seems to represent a new generation of Japanese visual artists who incorporate popular Japanese trends such as anime. The particular cultural history of Japan also contributes to the unusual character of this art work. An artist such as this can be unsettling because of the way the art work does NOT develop from a typical Western perspective. the world of art and culture is far more complex and perplexing these days as a result. (Some might find that invigorating!) Compare this Japanese artist’s emergence into the world culture with Seiji Ozawa. Each has something to say about the time and place that each emerged in his field. What is so different about a Japanese artist emerging in the world in 1960 and 2010?
I was always fascinated with Yoshimoto Nara’s work. There’s a sense of veiled innocence in the little girls that he draws. “White Ghost” is a giant fiberglass statue, part of the “Nobody’s Fool” exhibition, that can be found in the middle of Park Avenue.
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Wow, from the picture in the link, it looks amazing. I definitely need to check out this statue in person.