Courtesy of The Artist and Blum - Photo Keizo Kioku
Celebrated Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara unveils his latest exhibition, I Draw the Line, at BLUM’s Shibuya gallery. Running until January 11, 2025, the showcase blends Nara’s iconic wide-eyed characters with thought-provoking themes, drawing inspiration from nature, personal history, and countercultural movements.
The Art and its Inspirations
Courtesy of The Artist and Blum - Photo Keizo Kioku
Nara’s new works, created on found wood panels, exemplify his preference for sustainable materials and his fascination with the unexpected patterns of wood grain. This medium, which feels familiar and accessible, serves as the backdrop for gestural compositions paired with reflective, haiku-like phrases in both English and Japanese, including:
CHEER FOR YOU
WE ARE OUTLAWS YES!
Courtesy of The Artist and Blum - Photo Keizo Kioku
The collection nods to the influence of Henri Matisse’s late-life cutouts and Nara’s own large-scale sculptures. It also reflects the artist’s stay in Toya, a quiet village in southern Hokkaido reminiscent of his childhood home near Aomori. Surrounded by sea, mountains, and steam-emitting volcanoes, this setting deeply informs the themes of local terrain and environmental awareness present in his work.
Highlights of the Exhibition
Courtesy of The Artist and Blum - Photo Keizo Kioku
Among the striking pieces are:
A girl in a wolf-like balaclava, recalling Japan’s now-extinct wolves.
Childlike figures with cat-like eyes and fangs, echoing indigenous folklore.
Recurring motifs, such as pitched-roof houses, fir trees, and puddles, tying together Nara’s stylistic evolution.
Activism Through Art
Courtesy of The Artist and Blum - Photo Keizo Kioku
Nara’s deceptively simple, childlike style carries layered activist messages, rooted in his experiences with countercultural movements of the 1950s and 1960s. His work continues to oppose war, nuclear weapons, and environmental degradation, creating an artistic dialogue that resonates with current global concerns.
Exhibition Details
Courtesy of The Artist and Blum - Photo Keizo Kioku
Title: I Draw the Line
Location: BLUM Tokyo, Harajuku Jingu-no-Mori 5F, 1-14-34 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Dates: On view until January 11, 2025
For more details on the exhibition and BLUM Tokyo, visit BLUM’s official website.
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