Yoshitomo Nara

Yoshitomo Nara is a Japanese artist who has been creating for three decades. This book showcases his paintings, drawings, sculptures, and more, and examines his work through the lens of his lifelong passion for music. It features never-before-exhibited idea sketches and a re-creation of his drawing studio.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 12 October 2021
Publisher: Distributed Art Publishers

Yoshitomo Nara, a highly esteemed Japanese artist of his generation, has left an indelible mark on the art world with his captivating paintings, drawings, sculptures, and more. Over three decades, his artistic journey has garnered immense love and admiration from audiences worldwide. Nara's distinct portraits of menacing figures, which reflect his raw and introspective encounters with his inner self, have become his signature style.

His artistic oeuvre draws inspiration from a diverse range of sources, including his childhood memories, the influence of music, literature, his time spent studying and living in Germany (1988–2000), his exploration of his Japanese roots, Sakhalin, and Asia, as well as the contemporary art movements of Europe and Japan. Spanning a remarkable 35 years (1985 to 2020), this comprehensive book, accompanied by a major career retrospective organized by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, presents a comprehensive exploration of Nara's artistic journey.

Through the lens of his lifelong passion for music, the book features "liner notes" written by the artist himself, delving into various albums from his personal collection of 1960s and 70s folk and rock albums. These liner notes offer a unique insight into Nara's creative process and provide a deeper understanding of his artistic inspirations.

The book showcases a stunning array of Nara's artwork, including paintings, drawings, sculptures, ceramic figures, and an installation that recreates his drawing studio. These pieces, combined with never-before-exhibited idea sketches, showcase Nara's empathic eye and conceptual depth, illuminating his artistic process. Readers are invited to witness the evolution of an artist who has grown more contemplative with age.

Yoshitomo Nara was born in 1959 in Aomori, Japan, and his artistic journey began with a master's degree from Aichi Prefectural University of Fine Arts and Music. He later furthered his studies at Kunstakademie Düsseldorf, where he honed his skills and developed his unique artistic style. In 2010, the Asia Society in New York presented the first major New York exhibition of Nara's work, solidifying his international reputation. He is represented by prestigious galleries such as Pace Gallery and Blum & Poe.

Yoshitomo Nara's art continues to resonate with audiences, captivating them with its raw emotion, introspection, and bold use of color and form. His work serves as a testament to the power of art to transcend boundaries and connect people on a profound level. Whether through his menacing portraits or his intricate installations, Nara remains a beloved figure in the art world, whose legacy will continue to inspire and captivate future generations.

Weight: 1368g
Dimension: 233 x 307 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781636810294