Yoshitomo Nara

Yoshitomo Nara is a Japanese artist known for his paintings and sculptures of wide-eyed, childlike figures that mix innocence with defiance. Born in Hirosaki in 1959, he studied in Japan and Germany, developing a style influenced by manga, punk music, and childhood memories. His characters, often alone, armed with small weapons, or glaring at the viewer, capture complex emotions like rebellion, vulnerability, and solitude. Nara is one of Japan’s most internationally recognised contemporary artists.