This limited edition book on Yoshitomo Nara,
one of the most prominent contemporary artists
working today, shows the complexity of his
work over the past three decades.
Thirty years after Yoshitomo Nara rocketed to fame with his paintings of sinister adolescent figures, the artist has developed his practice to reflect his unique, empathic eye. Along with his most recognizable pieces, such as his ubiquitous portraits of wide-eyed figures on monochromatic backgrounds, readers will discover his earliest paintings, sketches on surfaces ranging from envelopes to cardboard made during his time in Germany, as well as an installation that recreates his drawing studio, large-scale bronze and ceramic figurines, and portraits made following the 2011 earthquake that devastated Japan. This limited edition book includes a clamshell case with 14 booklets tracing the full range of Nara’s work. It also includes a vinyl LP with original music and covers by American indie rock band Yo La Tengo on side A and songs from the 1960s and 70s selected by the artist on side B.
Available in North America only
Published in association with the Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Biography
MIKA YOSHITAKE is a Los-Angeles based independent curator and former curator at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, D.C. She has curated numerous exhibitions on postwar Japanese art and is the author of Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors (DelMonico Books•Prestel).
MICHAEL GOVAN is the CEO and Wallis Annenberg Director at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Prior to his work at LACMA, Govan served as the Deputy Director of the Guggenheim Museum as well as Director of Dia Art Foundation, where he founded Dia:Beacon.
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