STAGES

Yoshitomo Nara

The artwork of Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara (b. 1959) commonly employs drawings of pastel-hued children with expressions that convey anger, sadness, annoyance, or world-weary bemusement in stark contrast to their inherent cute (or kawaii) factor.

Backgrounds are kept to a minimum, but his subjects often appear with an accessory — a cigarette or knife, for example — that dissonantly belies the notion of childhood innocence.

Fire

yoshitomonara Acrylic on wood panel, 91cm x 91cm.
© Yoshitomo Nara, Courtesy of the artist, Blum & Poe, Los Angeles; Marianne Boesky Gallery, New York; and Tomio Koyama Gallery, Tokyo.

Nara is a leading figure of Japan’s Pop Art movement, and his imagery freely moves between gallery walls and everyday products like housewares, fashion accessories, and vinyl toys.

In addition to his painting for STAGES, Nara also created a custom time trial art bicycle for Lance’s return to cycling that, in addition to the artist’s signature imagery, bares a special inspirational message to Lance:

“Never Forget Your Beginner’s Spirit!”

He is represented by Blum & Poe in Los Angeles; Marianne Boesky Gallery, New York; and Tomio Koyama Gallery, Tokyo.