Graphite on paper

51 x 36 cm. 20 1/8 x 14 1/8 in.

Inscribed in Japanese on the left

LITERATURE
2012, Yoshitomo Nara: A Bit Like You and Me…, Foil Publishing Co., Ltd, Tokyo, p.98
EXHIBITED
14 Jul – 23 Sep 2012, Yoshitomo Nara: A Bit Like You and Me…, Yokohama Museum of Art, Yokohama
6 Oct 2012 – 14 Jan 2013, Yoshitomo Nara: A Bit Like You and Me…, Aomori Museum of Art, Aomori
26 Jan – 14 Apr 2013, Yoshitomo Nara: A Bit Like You and Me…, Contemporary Art Museum Kumamoto, Kumamoto

PROVENANCE
Pace Gallery, New York
Private Collection, Asia

Note: A label of Pace Gallery New York is affixed on the reverse

A Rebellious Marching
Yoshitomo Nara's Monogatari

This time we bring an excellent paper works by Yoshitomo Nara, with a special genre of “cat”, which is extremely rare theme in artist's life. The work we present in this auction, Kill the Misery! was shown in Nara's exhibition tour A Little Like You and Me. The exhibition is of great importance and this painting is an extremely representative work as well.

Bear No Fear, Embrace the Future

Nara is a loyal fan of the Beatles, even quoted the lyrics, A Little Like You and Me, from Beatles's famous song Nowhere Man, as the name of his significant Japanese exhibition tour in 2013. In this tour, he put on lots of precious paper manuscripts and sketches, including Kill the Misery! Artist painted a figure-like kitty in the painting. The cat has its eyes widely open to observe the world. Its canine teeth indicate the smartness and sharpness and its tail rises upward. The drizzle wets its hair and mustache, while it has one foot on a skateboard, which seems to say Kill the Misery!, bringing the inspiring power to the viewers. There is another lyrics quote from Beatles on the painting. The left part of the paper paints You've Got to Hide Your Love Away, comforting people's hearts.

Nara puts his favorite lyrics and objects on the paper, and brought this loved piece in his exhibition tour across Yokohama, Aomori, and Kumamoto. An Asian collector bought the painting from the Pace Gallery in New York. It has been well preserved, and this spring sees its first appearance in the market. Thus, it would be a wonderful chance to collect a classic painting this time.

Price estimate:
HKD: 500,000 – 700,000
USD: 64,500 – 90,300

Auction Result:
HKD: --