2011-2012
Pencil on Paper
51 x 36 cm
Artist doodled 2011 on the bottom of the work
Estimate TWD 1,800,000-2,800,000
USD 59,100-91,900
HKD 0-0
Hammer Price TWD 0
USD 0
HKD 0
Provenance：1. Pace Gallery, New York, USA 2. Private Collection, Asia
Illustrated："Yoshitomo Nara: Special- Feature First Appeared in Bijutsu Techo," Big Art Co. Ltd., Taipei, Taiwan, 2012, Page 20
Exhibition：1. "Yoshitomo Nara: A Bit Like You and Me… ," Yokohama Museum of Art, Yokohama, Japan, July 14th-September 23rd, 2012 2. "Yoshitomo Nara," Pace Gallery, New York, USA, May 10th - June 29th, 2013
Exposition：
The devastating earthquake that struck Japan on March 11, 2011, followed by the Fukushima nuclear disaster, had a profound impact on Yoshitomo Nara's art. As the disaster unfolded just a few dozen kilometers north of his studio, Yoshitomo was deeply affected by the trauma and turned inward to create a new body of work. He began producing ceramics and crafting large, round or oval-shaped bronze heads, channeling his emotions into an introspective and reflective mode of creation. Through this process, Yoshitomo gained a deeper understanding of his role as an artist and the impact he could have on society.
His iconic "Little Girl" character took on new meaning and became a vehicle for social commentary and reflection. In the wake of this crisis, Yoshitomo found his voice and his mission as an artist, using his work to make a powerful contribution to the world around him.
In 2011, Yoshitomo Nara created this original draft titled Sketches for the Sculpture, which served as the blueprint for his mid/large-scale cupronickel sculpture, Wicked Looking, in 2012. While Yoshitomo often draws drafts prior to his creations, this one stood out from his previous works featuring the Little Girl character as it displayed a sense of stillness and reservation. The bubble-blowing girl's face exudes a quiet demeanor, and simple dotted lines suggest her gaze into the distance.
The entire draft exudes Yoshitomo's signature innocuousness and earnestness, with rich layers of pencil strokes used to depict the planned depths of texture and anticipated temperament for the sculpture. Yoshitomo's attempt at presetting the sculpture's brightness is evident in the radial lines around the girl's head and the diamond-shaped flashlight on her hair that radiates towards the viewer.
Underneath the wooden pedestal where the sculpture sits are three kittens, each clutching or poking at the numbers 2, 0, 1, which end with "1 Year" outside the pedestal. This playful use of numbers marks the year in which the work was conceptualized and the duration of time it took for the artist to complete the sculpture. It also showcases Yoshitomo's playful imagination and free-fall expression, demonstrating the abundant energy and creative forces that were surging within him at the time.
Yoshitomo Nara is a global phenomenon, with a loyal fan base and consistent success in the art market. In 2021, he held his first touring exhibition in Taiwan, with stops at the Taipei Kuandu Museum of Fine Arts, Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts, and Tainan Art Museum. The exhibition was a massive hit among Yoshitomo enthusiasts and the wider art community alike, generating a buzz that transcended pandemic restrictions. Despite Taiwan's nationwide Level 2 pandemic alert, the exhibition drew more than a thousand visitors daily, all eager to experience Yoshitomo's unique energy and creativity. The enduring popularity of his iconic "Little Girl" character, which has undergone numerous transformations across various social periods, attests to the profound impact of Yoshitomo's work on the public imagination.
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