PROVENANCE:
Private collection, Europe

With a certificate of authenticity signed by Ms. Swetlana Heger-Davis

Yoshitomo Nara’s rise in art world during 1990s was highly related to art movements in Japan at that time. His artworks have always been categorized as superflat style founded by Takashi Murakami and developed from the addiction toward Japanese animation culture as well as Otaku culture. Children in his works appear simultaneously sweet and sinister, with strong sense of isolation. The isolated and lonely images with little background depict artist’s self-consciousness and anxiety. Overall, his art works convey unique Japanese culture and imply the loneliness of people in the modern society. His distinct style draws people’s attention and leads Japanese contemporary art to the forefront on the international stage.

Human figures in the artworks by Yoshitomo Nara always share a similarity as loneliness. This artwork was directly given to Swetlana Heger-Davis in 1998 by Yoshitomo Nara on her exhibition at Tomio Koyama Gallery, Tokyo.With greetings for her birthday on the left it reveals slight differences with others. The girl and puppy, which are typical subject matters in the artist's works, appear less evil but more amiable with light color on the background.