For three consecutive years, Albertina Modern, the young museum of modern and contemporary art in Vienna, Austria, has presented important solo exhibitions of leading Asian artists in continental Europe. japanese photographer Nobuyoshi Araki was the star of 2021; Chinese artist-activist Ai Weiwei took center stage last year; now the spotlights are on Yoshitomo Narathe beloved Japanese artist, darling of the international art marketand a crowd favorite the world over.
Best known for his childlike depiction of cute and contemplative “angry girls,” the 63-year-old artist has amassed a huge following over the past three decades and become a market star in recent years. Nara’s paintings often fetch millions of dollars at auction – his auction record stands at $24.9 million (HK$196 million, including fees) for the sale of his iconic painting from 2000 Knife in the back at a Sotheby’s Hong Kong sale in 2019.
The drawings, however, are the star of Albertina Modern’s first European institutional exhibition ‘All My Little Worlds’ in Nara in a decade. The exhibition presents more than 400 works, including some 390 drawings, 15 paintings and three sculptures, objects and installations. The works range from early experimental pieces to immediately recognizable recent offerings. Drawings that seemed to have been created spontaneously on slips of paper, envelopes, leaflets and cardboard boxes are exhibited in an arranged manner by Nara himself.
There’s no shortage of his wide-eyed characters. Some seem indignant while others seem to sink into deep thoughts. But they go beyond the surface of kawaii. All of the exhibited works collectively claim a rebellious attitude and curiosity often found in children, qualities that gradually fade as they become adults.
Some of the featured works also reflect a range of Nara influences, from music to pop culture, as well as socio-political issues and global affairs. His anti-war position is particularly visible in this selection of exhibited works.
One of the highlights is the installation My living room from 2008, a hut presenting itself as a retreat for the artist where he can work in solitude. Scattered around the room are works on paper, cultural objects and even toys, which Nara created from her imagination. The artist also created a Spotify playlist of some of his favorite songs to accompany the visual experience of this installation, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the artist’s universe.
“All My Little Worlds” until November 1. See images from the exhibit below.
Installation view of ‘Yoshitomo Nara: All my little words’ at the Albertina Modern, Vienna. Photo: eSeL.at – Lorenz Seidler. Courtesy of Albertina Modern.
Installation view of ‘Yoshitomo Nara: All my little words’ at the Albertina Modern, Vienna. Photo: eSeL.at – Lorenz Seidler. Courtesy of Albertina Modern.
Yoshitomo Nara. Exhibition view: My Drawing Room 2008 (exterior view), bedroom included, (2008). Courtesy of the artist and Pace Gallery | © Yoshitomo Nara | Photo: © Sandro EE Yoshitomo Nara, view of the exhibition: My living room (2008) (exterior view), bedroom included. Courtesy of the artist and Pace Gallery | © Yoshitomo Nara | Photo: © Sandro EE Zanzinger
Installation view of ‘Yoshitomo Nara: All my little words’ at the Albertina Modern, Vienna. Photo: eSeL.at – Lorenz Seidler. Courtesy of Albertina Modern.
Installation view of “Yoshitomo Nara: All my little words” at the Albertina Modern, Vienna (10.5. – 1.11.2023) Photo: eSeL.at – Lorenz Seidler. Courtesy of Albertina Modern.
Installation view of ‘Yoshitomo Nara: All my little words’ at the Albertina Modern, Vienna. Photo: eSeL.at – Lorenz Seidler. Courtesy of Albertina Modern.
Installation view of ‘Yoshitomo Nara: All my little words’ at the Albertina Modern, Vienna. Photo: eSeL.at – Lorenz Seidler. Courtesy of Albertina Modern.
Installation view of ‘Yoshitomo Nara: All my little words’ at the Albertina Modern, Vienna. Photo: eSeL.at – Lorenz Seidler. Courtesy of Albertina Modern.
Installation view of ‘Yoshitomo Nara: All my little words’ at the Albertina Modern, Vienna. Photo: eSeL.at – Lorenz Seidler. Courtesy of Albertina Modern.
Installation view of ‘Yoshitomo Nara: All my little words’ at the Albertina Modern, Vienna. Photo: eSeL.at – Lorenz Seidler. Courtesy of Albertina Modern.
Installation view of ‘Yoshitomo Nara: All my little words’ at the Albertina Modern, Vienna. Photo: eSeL.at – Lorenz Seidler. Courtesy of Albertina Modern.
Installation view of ‘Yoshitomo Nara: All my little words’ at the Albertina Modern, Vienna. Photo: eSeL.at – Lorenz Seidler. Courtesy of Albertina Modern.
Installation view of ‘Yoshitomo Nara: All my little words’ at the Albertina Modern, Vienna. Photo: eSeL.at – Lorenz Seidler. Courtesy of Albertina Modern.
Yoshitomo Nara, works for Dreaming of Dreaming (2001). Acrylic and colored pencil on paper
Collection of the artist | Courtesy of Pace Gallery © Yoshitomo Nara | Photo: Yoshitomo Nara
Yoshitomo Nara, Kiss my ass (2015). Collection of the artist. Courtesy of Pace Gallery ©Yoshitomo Nara. Photo: Yoshitomo Nara.
Yoshitomo Nara, Child cut (2000). Collection of the artist. Courtesy of Pace Gallery © Yoshitomo Nara. Photo: Yoshitomo Nara
Yoshitomo Nara, With the knife (2018). Color pencil on paper. Collection of the artist. Courtesy of Pace Gallery. Photo: Keizo Kioku.
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