Tag: Yoshitomo Nara

Iconic Portraits and Inner Worlds

Yoshitomo Nara
Tue 10 Jun – Sun 31 Aug 2025
Hayward Gallery, Southbank Centre, London, UK

Years ago, I curated an art show with seven artists in London that I titled Individual universes. Entering this exhibition reminded me of that feeling — stepping into the individual universe of Yoshitomo Nara, now on show at the Hayward Gallery. The exhibition takes you on a journey through the creative process of this leading Japanese artist, featuring recent paintings and drawings, as well as sculptures, installations and portraits brought to life through richly layered colours.

Nara’s world is highly imaginative and deeply personal. His childlike figures with large heads and wide eyes challenge the viewer with their direct gaze — sometimes defiant, other times melancholic, and in recent years increasingly meditative. He explores ideas of home, isolation, nature, peace, resistance and freedom.

Although not initially drawn to his cartoon-like style, I was seduced by the emotional power of his work. His commitment to social and political subjects, especially peace and freedom, resonated with me as meaningful art I value.

The exhibition offers a comprehensive view of Nara’s evolution. His unique child-like figures, animals and hybrids often act as self-portraits — visual expressions of his thoughts and emotions. The emotional depth of these works is likely why they resonate with wide audiences, while also expressing his free-spirited attitude and love of rock and folk music. At the entrance, a large collection of records shows the influence music has had on his art.

Una estructura de casa en una galería con un letrero que dice 'PLACE LIKE HOME', presenta una figura infantil de cabello castaño y vestido blanco, evocando temas de hogar y pertenencia.
A wall covered with an extensive collection of vinyl record album covers, showcasing various music artists and styles.

Nara’s formative years in Japan’s northern Tōhoku region were spent drawing and listening to the Far East Network, a radio station for American troops during the Vietnam War. Music and political awareness have been central to him ever since. Later, living and studying in Germany proved crucial for his style: at the Kunstakademie in Düsseldorf, he absorbed influences from European modernism and the Neo-Expressionist A. R. Penck, creating his big-eyed characters that defy Japan’s kawaii aesthetic with their mysterious, rebellious expressions.

A framed artwork by Yoshitomo Nara depicting a girl with a bob haircut, intently looking at a record on a table, with a background suggesting cardboard texture.
A large framed artwork depicting a childlike figure with big eyes and short hair, playfully drumming on a tambourine, set against a muted background.
Painting of a child-like figure with a large green hat and a defiant expression, standing on a dark path with a light blue background, framed in a wooden border.
A painting by Yoshitomo Nara depicting a sinister-looking child with a saw, wearing a shirt that says 'Fuck You,' standing next to a flower with drops of blood, illuminated by a lightbulb.
Retrato de figura infantil con cabello castaño y ojos grandes, vestida con una camiseta verde, en un marco blanco.
Painting of a child-like figure with large, expressive eyes, wearing a hat that resembles dog ears, sitting on a small stool against a dark background.
A colorful painting depicting a girl with pigtails interacting with a white cat, set against a vibrant yellow and orange background.
The little art gooseberry walking in an art gallery with two Yoshitomo Nara artworks on display behind them, showcasing whimsical characters in light purple hues.
The little art gooseberry interacting with two of Yoshitomo Nara’s artworks
A framed painting featuring two childlike figures with large heads and wide eyes, one holding a flower and the other a small object, set against a soft, textured background.
A minimalist painting featuring a figure with a simple face, large head, and wide eyes, set against a pale background. The figure's posture suggests introspection, with an abstract line running beneath it.
Pintura de Yoshitomo Nara que muestra una figura infantil con un gran cabezal y ojos expresivos, y un fondo minimalista.
The art blackberry in a red outfit stands with outstretched arms in front of a large artwork featuring a stylized figure with large eyes and a minimalistic face, set against a vibrant green background.
The art blackberry standing in front of a large painting by Yoshitomo Nara, featuring a childlike figure with big eyes against a yellow background, in an art gallery setting.

The art blackberry interacting with one of Yoshitomo Nara’s artworks

The exhibition also reflects his responses to world events such as the Tōhoku earthquake, tsunami and Fukushima disaster, which fuelled his artistic exploration of loss and resilience. One of my favourite works is Under the Hazy Sky (2012), created in the aftermath of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan, which caused widespread radioactive contamination. Deeply affected by these events, Nara organised art workshops for some of the displaced children. The tiny seedlings held out by the character’s thin arms become symbols of peace and hope for the future.

Painting of a young girl with a somber expression, wearing a red dress and holding small green seedlings, set against a soft, muted background.
Under the hazy sky, 2012
Two framed artworks by Yoshitomo Nara displayed on a white wall. The left artwork features a character with a gun and text saying 'I am Right wing, I am Left wing!' The right artwork depicts a girl with large eyes, conveying an emotive expression.
Two art pieces by Yoshitomo Nara displayed side by side. The left piece features a figure with large eyes and a melancholic expression. The right piece depicts a similar character on a skateboard, accompanied by the text 'CHEER FOR YOU.' Both pieces showcase Nara's distinctive style.
The art blackberry de pie en una galería de arte, vistiendo un traje rojo, con el rostro cubierto por los brazos; en el fondo se observa una obra del artista Yoshitomo Nara, que presenta una figura caricaturesca con cabello oscuro y expresión desafiante.
The art blackberry in a red dress with braided hair stands with their arms crossed in front of a large painting of a child-like figure with an angry expression, featuring large eyes and a bob haircut.

The art blackberry next to one of the most iconic artworks at the exhibition

Another of our favourite works is the one below, where the figure’s iridescent eyes and patchwork of tones showcase the more nuanced, painterly style Nara developed after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster.

A young child in denim clothing stands in front of a large painting featuring a stylized face with big eyes and an emotional expression, set in the Hayward gallery.
The little art gooseberry next to one of Yoshimoto Nara’s paintings
Sculpture depicting four childlike figures with serene faces stacked inside a large white teacup, set against a turquoise background.
The art blueberry with a sculpture by Yoshitomo Nara
Painting of a stylized child-like figure with large eyes, a frowning expression, and a colorful, patterned top, set against a soft blue background.
Painting of a child-like figure with large, expressive eyes and a simple face, set against a round, peach-colored background.
Dos pinturas redondas en la pared, una con una figura infantil de cabello oscuro en un vestido naranja con mirada desafiante, y otra con una figura similar en un vestido verde claro con expresión molesta. Ambas obras están enmarcadas en círculos grandes, con un fondo suave.

This show surpassed my expectations. It was fascinating to see his artistic evolution, and how he transformed his concerns about the world into a rich creative universe, filled with emotion and iconic, instantly recognisable characters.

A wooden sculpture of a young girl with short brown hair, wearing a light blue dress, standing on a circular log base. She holds a small orange object with red flames in her hand.
Una pintura de un personaje con cabello anaranjado y grandes ojos, que lleva una camiseta blanca con la frase "NO WAR" en rojo, enmarcada con un marco de madera clara.
A colorful artwork featuring a girl with large eyes and a serious expression, standing with her arms crossed. Above her, the words 'STOP THE BOMBS' are written in bold letters. The background is wood-textured, adding depth to the piece.
A framed artwork depicting a child with long dark hair, wearing a green top and a bandage over one eye with a cross design. The painting features a soft, muted color palette, highlighting the child's large, expressive eyes.
A framed artwork featuring a childlike figure with large eyes and a bob hairstyle, holding a sign that reads 'I'M SORRY'. The piece is characterized by soft colors and a whimsical yet introspective expression.
Artwork featuring a childlike figure with large eyes and dark hair, displaying an expression of defiance. The word 'BLOOD' is written at the top in bold letters, and the piece is framed against a white wall.

Retratos icónicos y mundos interiores

Yoshitomo Nara
Mar 10 de junio – Dom 31 de agosto de 2025
Hayward Gallery, Southbank Centre, Londres, Reino Unido

Hace años comisarié en Londres una exposición con siete artistas que titulé Universos individuales. Entrar en esta muestra me recordó aquella sensación: adentrarme en el universo propio de Yoshitomo Nara, ahora en exhibición en la Hayward Gallery. La exposición invita a recorrer el proceso creativo de este destacado artista japonés, con pinturas y dibujos recientes, así como esculturas, instalaciones y retratos animados por capas de color ricas y vibrantes.

El mundo de Nara es profundamente imaginativo y personal. Sus figuras infantiles, de cabezas grandes y ojos muy abiertos, interpelan al espectador con una mirada directa: a veces desafiante, otras melancólica, y en los últimos años cada vez más meditativa. Explora ideas como el hogar, el aislamiento, la naturaleza, la paz, la resistencia y la libertad.

Aunque al principio no me atraía su estilo de inspiración caricaturesca, me dejé seducir por la fuerza emocional de su obra. Su compromiso con temas sociales y políticos, especialmente con la paz y la libertad, me resultó un arte significativo que aprecio.

La exposición ofrece una visión amplia de la evolución de Nara. Sus singulares figuras infantiles, animales e híbridos funcionan a menudo como autorretratos, expresiones visuales de sus pensamientos y emociones. La profundidad emocional de estas obras explica por qué conectan con públicos tan diversos, al tiempo que transmiten su espíritu libre y su amor por la música rock y folk. Nada más entrar, una gran colección de discos muestra la influencia que la música ha tenido en su arte.

Installation artwork featuring a house structure with a colorful roof and a sign that reads 'PLACE LIKE HOME,' depicting a childlike figure with a peaceful expression.
Muro de álbumes de música con numerosos discos y portadas, capturando la influencia musical en la obra de Yoshitomo Nara.

Sus años de formación en la región norteña de Tōhoku, en Japón, transcurrieron dibujando y escuchando la Far East Network, una emisora para las tropas estadounidenses durante la guerra de Vietnam. Desde entonces, la música y la conciencia política han sido esenciales para él. Más tarde, vivir y estudiar en Alemania resultó crucial para su estilo: en la Kunstakademie de Düsseldorf absorbió influencias del modernismo europeo y del neoexpresionista A. R. Penck, creando sus personajes de ojos grandes que se alejan de la estética kawaii japonesa con expresiones misteriosas y rebeldes.

Yoshitomo Nara exhibition London, Hayward Gallery 2025, Japanese contemporary art, iconic portraits, Fukushima-inspired art, Yoshitomo Nara paintings and sculptures, Southbank Centre exhibitions.
The little gooseberry junto a dos de las obras de Yoshitomo Nara
A framed artwork featuring a young girl with a bob haircut, intently looking at a small vinyl record she holds in her hands, against a textured brown background with colorful lettering that reads 'レコード'.
A framed artwork depicting a childlike figure with large eyes and a neutral expression, enthusiastically playing a drum, characterized by a simplistic, stylized design.
A framed artwork featuring a childlike figure with large eyes and brown hair, wearing a green shirt, set against a neutral background.
A painting depicting a childlike figure wearing a large green hat, standing on a dark path with a serious expression. The background features soft pastel colors, creating a whimsical yet contemplative atmosphere.
A colorful painting by Yoshitomo Nara featuring a childlike character with a mischievous expression, holding a saw and standing beside a dripping flower. The character wears a shirt with the words 'Fuck You' and is under a hanging light bulb.
A colorful painting depicting a girl with pigtails reaching out towards a white cat. The background features abstract shapes and vibrant colors, creating a playful and imaginative atmosphere.
Una pintura de un niño con grandes ojos y una expresión desafiante, sentado en un taburete. El niño lleva una capucha que parece de peluche, sobre un fondo oscuro que resalta el uso de colores suaves y vibrantes.
A minimalist painting featuring a stylized figure with a large head, wide eyes, and a simplistic line in the background, displayed against a light-colored canvas.
Painting of a child-like figure with a large head and wide eyes lying on a bed, wearing a yellow dress, showcasing Yoshitomo Nara's distinctive style.
Una persona de espaldas, con un overol rojo y trenzas, se encuentra de pie frente a una pintura prominente que muestra un retrato en tonos amarillos y un rostro de grandes ojos, en un ambiente de galería de arte.
Una persona de espaldas observa un cuadro de Yoshitomo Nara en una galería, destacando su figura infantil con ojos grandes y mirada intensa.

The art blackberry junto a una de las obras en la muestra

La muestra refleja también su respuesta a acontecimientos mundiales como el terremoto y tsunami de Tōhoku y el desastre de Fukushima, que alimentaron su exploración artística de la pérdida y la resiliencia. Una de mis obras favoritas es Under the Hazy Sky (2012), creada tras el desastre nuclear de Fukushima de 2011 en Japón, que provocó una amplia contaminación radiactiva. Profundamente afectado por estos hechos, Nara organizó talleres de arte para algunos de los niños desplazados. Las diminutas plántulas que la figura sostiene con sus delgados brazos son símbolos de paz y esperanza en el futuro.

Pintura de una niña con cabello corto y expresión melancólica, sosteniendo pequeñas plántulas en sus manos, vestida con un vestido rojo, sobre un fondo suave.
Bajo el cielo brumoso, 2012
Two framed artworks by Yoshitomo Nara displayed on a wall. The left piece features a character with a pointed finger and text that reads 'I am Right wing. I am Left wing!', while the right piece depicts a girl with large eyes, both artworks set against a background of muted colors.
Two ceramic tiles featuring Yoshitomo Nara's signature childlike characters. The left tile depicts a solemn figure with large eyes, while the right tile shows a cheerful character on a skateboard, with the text 'CHEER FOR YOU' above.
A person in a red outfit stands in front of an artwork featuring a large, childlike face with an intense expression. The background is a neutral tone, and the flooring is wooden.
A person wearing a red dress and braided hair stands in front of a large artwork by Yoshitomo Nara, depicting a childlike figure with a defiant expression.

The art blackberry junto a una de las obras más icónicas de la exposición

Otra de nuestras obras favoritas es la que aparece más abajo, en la que los ojos irisados de la figura y su mosaico de tonos muestran el estilo más matizado y pictórico que Nara desarrolló tras el desastre nuclear de 2011.

A young girl in a denim outfit stands in an art gallery, pointing towards a large painting of a girl with large eyes and colorful hair in the background.
The little art gooseberry junto a una de las obras de la exposición
Painting by Yoshitomo Nara featuring a childlike figure with large eyes and reddish-brown hair, set against a circular pink background.
A painting by Yoshitomo Nara featuring a child-like figure with large eyes and an expressive face, set against a light blue wall.
Escultura de una figura infantil de pie sobre un tronco, sosteniendo una esfera anaranjada con llamas rojas, vestida con un vestido azul claro y con cabello castaño corto.
Two round paintings by Yoshitomo Nara, featuring childlike figures. The left painting shows a girl in a yellow dress with a defiant expression, and a speech bubble. The right painting depicts a girl in a blue dress with a melancholic look. Both paintings are displayed on a white wall in a gallery setting.

Esta exposición superó mis expectativas. Ha sido fascinante ver su evolución artística y cómo ha transformado sus preocupaciones sobre el mundo en un universo creativo propio, cargado de emoción y poblado de personajes icónicos e inconfundibles.

A framed artwork depicting a girl with a serious expression. She has long brown hair and one eye is covered with a bandage featuring a red cross. The girl wears a simple green top, and the background is light, emphasizing her figure.
A whimsical artwork featuring a girl with large eyes and a wide grin, wearing a shirt that reads 'NO WAR'. The figure is framed and has green hair accessories, displayed against a plain background.
An artwork by Yoshitomo Nara featuring a childlike figure with a defiant expression, standing on grass, with the text 'STOP THE BOMBS' displayed prominently above.
A framed artwork depicting a childlike figure with large eyes and a bob hairstyle, wearing a green shirt and holding a sign that reads 'I'M SORRY'. The background is plain, highlighting the figure.
A framed artwork depicting a childlike character with a serious expression, text reading 'BLOOD' at the top, showcasing a blend of colors and a textured aesthetic.