The children illustrated by Yoshitomo Nara combine with their innocent physiognomy the threats and angers of the adults. Just like the boy photographed in Central Park by Diane Arbus, they are not dangerous. They help to question the real social issues of our time.
In 2000 Yoshitomo Nara visited Auschwitz just before leaving Germany where he had lived since 1988 and had completed his art studies. He understands that his characters can raise their voices to demand that all wars be avoided.
On May 28 in Hong Kong, Phillips sells the portrait of a little girl whose dual title is unambiguous : Last Warrior / The Unknown Soldier. It is estimated HK $ 20M, lot 11.
This acrylic on canvas 165 x 150 cm painted in 2000 confirms that beyond his inspiration from the manga the artist completely masters the Western techniques. On a light background of great brightness the skin and dress are ethereal, contrasting with the mouth and eyes which express the message. The mouth is authoritarian and stubborn and the divergent strabismus does not invite to negotiation.
This artwork has a sequel that provides the key to the artist's hope. The child's attitude is almost identical with three exceptions : a hand appears to offer a single two-leaf seedling, the mouth loses its twist in favor of an expression of seriousness and the strabismus has been offset. Entitled fairly The Little Ambassador, this painting 198 x 133 cm was sold for HK $ 24M including premium by Sotheby's on October 2, 2016.
SOLD for HK$ 18M before fees
In 2000 Yoshitomo Nara visited Auschwitz just before leaving Germany where he had lived since 1988 and had completed his art studies. He understands that his characters can raise their voices to demand that all wars be avoided.
On May 28 in Hong Kong, Phillips sells the portrait of a little girl whose dual title is unambiguous : Last Warrior / The Unknown Soldier. It is estimated HK $ 20M, lot 11.
This acrylic on canvas 165 x 150 cm painted in 2000 confirms that beyond his inspiration from the manga the artist completely masters the Western techniques. On a light background of great brightness the skin and dress are ethereal, contrasting with the mouth and eyes which express the message. The mouth is authoritarian and stubborn and the divergent strabismus does not invite to negotiation.
This artwork has a sequel that provides the key to the artist's hope. The child's attitude is almost identical with three exceptions : a hand appears to offer a single two-leaf seedling, the mouth loses its twist in favor of an expression of seriousness and the strabismus has been offset. Entitled fairly The Little Ambassador, this painting 198 x 133 cm was sold for HK $ 24M including premium by Sotheby's on October 2, 2016.
SOLD for HK$ 18M before fees
Our #HongKong #20thCentury & #ContemporaryArt & #Design catalogue is live! Browse and place advance bids online: https://t.co/aTS0EXJ79l pic.twitter.com/qX1ubeEFRW
— P H I L L I P S (@phillipsauction) May 11, 2017
RSS Feed
