Yoshitomo Nara is a Japanese painter, sculptor and draughtsman. He was born December 5, 1959. Yoshitomo recieved his B.F.A and M.F.A from the Aichi Prefectural University of Fine Arts and Music in 1987. He also studied Art at Kunstakademie Düsseldorf (German State Academy of Arts), Düsseldorf, Germany in 1993. Growing up, Yoshitomo was a shy kid and very sensitive. He had sibling, but they were much older so they weren’t really around. Both his parents had jobs and he was alone through a lot of his childhood. He says that his childhood loneliness fuels the creativity for much of his work. “When you are a kid, you are too young to know you are lonely, sad, and upset,” he told ARTnews ‘ Kay Itoi. “Now I know I was.” In high school he experienced art for the first time and was astounded that he could finally express himself.
After gaining his M.F. A. he headed to Germany. He lived here for several years in a city called Koln. Yoshitomo began to look inside of himself for art. He explored his self conscience and from this he created one of the first of his sad little girl portraits. “When I make the drawings, I don’t think of it,” he told Asahi Shimbun. “My brush just moves unconsciously.”
Some critics hate his work. It is very childlike. The subject of most of his work is a chubby cheek little girl with slanted eyes. He also draws little dogs frequently too.
His works have an air of simplicity. The subject is full of angst with a piercing gaze. In the 1990’s Yoshitomo aquired a huge fan base. He became an international artist. He has had shows in Japan, Korea, Germany, and the US. He has become so popular that his work can be seen on shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, where a character of the show is wearing a shirt with his design on it.
Yoshitomo was arrested in NYC for drawing a smiley face on the wall near the First Ave L train stop. He was detained overnight. He was charged with making graffiti and mischief conduct. The charges were dropped later that year. Yoshitomo says he liked the experience because he met people he wouldn’t have other wise. The brick he drew on was washed clean. Apparently, the transit workers had no idea that the brick Yoshitomo drew on could have generated $10,000 if they had sold it.
Pieces by Yoshitomo can generate upwards of a million dollars. While pricey works are sold, he also has key chains and other items that are sold for only a few bucks. He has mass appeal. I instantly loved his work when I saw it at the MOMA. I also feel like he is an artist that I can relate to on an emotional level. Yoshitomo still feels lonely sometimes and has to constantly remind himself of all the good things that has been said about his work. He tries to work freely and without feeling pressured, to just create art for the joy of it. Yoshitomo keeps these words posted: “Never forget your beginner’s spirit.” He applies this idea to his work every day.