In keeping with the youthful spirit of rebellion, the work of Yoshitomo Nara is at once playful and defiant. His über cute characters embody elements of punk mayhem - scrawled words of frustration, smoking, and angry guitar riffs. This juxtaposition of menacing and innocence are direct influences of a childhood filled with Japanese manga, Western rock music, and loneliness. In Nara’s latest exhibit at Blum & Poe, the artist continues the do-it-yourself mentality of punk culture with a collection of new paintings, a retrospective of over 200 drawings, and a series of bronze sculptures that introduces a new medium into Nara’s creative arsenal. The exhibition will be on view through April 12th at Blum & Poe. Be sure to check out the works in person if you're in the area. For those unable to visit Los Angeles, enjoy a few images of the exhibit below.
