Yoshitomo Nara

Japanese, 1959-Present

Yoshitomo Nara is a Japanese contemporary artist known for his portraits of wide-eyed children that blend innocence with provocation. Born in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, he studied at Aichi University of the Arts and later at Kunstakademie Düsseldorf, where he absorbed influences from German Neo-Expressionism and Western music culture. 

Nara’s recurring image of a young girl, often armed with a small weapon or confrontational stare, has become a symbol of quiet defiance. His work spans painting, sculpture, drawing, and installation, and often draws from personal memory rather than direct pop culture references. 

He has exhibited widely in Japan, Europe, and the U.S., including major shows at MoMA, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the Guggenheim Bilbao in Spain. Though widely collected and auctioned, his practice remains grounded in emotional expression, resisting easy categorization.