Ink pen and coloured pencil on paper

29 × 20.5 cm. 11 3/8 × 8 1/8 in.

LITERATURE
2011, Yoshitomo Nara: The Complete Works 1984-2010, Volume 2: Works on Paper, Bijutsu Publishing House, Tokyo, p. 185
EXHIBITED
2 Jun-20 Sep 2002, Who Snatched the Babies?, Centre National de l’Estampe et de l’Art Imprimé, Chatou
12 Sept 2003-4 Jan 2004, Nothing Ever Happens, Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland, Cleveland
24 Jan – 4 Apr 2004, Nothing Ever Happens, Institute of Contemporary Art, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
24 Jul-24 Oct 2004, Nothing Ever Happens, San Jose Museum of Art, San Jose
3 Dec 2004-26 Feb 2005, Nothing Ever Happens, Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, St. Louis
25 Mar-22 May 2005, Nothing Ever Happens, Contemporary Museum, Honolulu

PROVENANCE
Marianne Boesky Gallery, New York
4 Mar 2015, Phillips New York Spring Auction, Lot 146
12 Jul 2020, Poly Hong Kong Spring Auction, Lot 155
Acquired directly by present Asian collector from the above

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

Lost Sprite in the Mortal Realm
A Healing Angel by Yoshitomo Nara

"There is someone I wanted to talk to, but people who really understand me may not exist in our universe. That’s why I want to create them."
——Yoshitomo Nara

Yoshitomo Nara lived in Germany for 12 years before returning to Japan in 2001. During the following two years, he created a series called Who Snatched the Babies. Unlike traditional artworks, they used materials from daily life, such as postcards, envelopes, and stationery. This series aimed to transcend conventional artistic mediums, allowing Nara's "children" to become a part of our lives. The artworks resemble a diary and reflect Nara's daily thoughts and musings.

The prominent characters in this series feature facial features inspired by traditional Japanese dango and Noh theater masks. Nara regards the characters in his paintings as embodiments of himself, establishing his work's classic composition and stylistic elements – characterized by flattened spaces and distinctive childlike expressions, forming the iconic "Nara symbols." The piece, Untitled, exemplifies the artist's classic paper-based works from this series and period.

Glistening Warmth

In the scene, A youth of indeterminate gender appears in the iconic style of his Little Wanderer series. He is dressed in a robe, adorned with a protective cap, and reveals a soft fringe. Riding on a soft cloud, he implies his gentle and harmless identity.

The perceptive dual eyes, slightly parted lips, and the rosy blush on the cheeks reveal reverence and anticipation for the world. Extending his fingers forward, he releases a golden halo as if casting a magical spell. This golden glow disperses the light and hope of life, illuminating the surrounding world.

Stars behind him dot and encircle his body, making the protagonist appear like a "sprite lost in the mortal realm." He seems to arrive from outer space, carrying goodwill to bring healing warmth to humanity.

Firmly Embracing the True Self, Chasing Dreams Forward

The lower part of the artwork is intentionally left blank to create an environment that transcends time, space, and reality. It seems to go beyond the ordinary world and engages in a dialogue with the clouds, conveying a virtual sense of uncertainty between dream and reality. The character's fantastical and refreshing image reflects the artist's thoughts upon returning to Japan from Germany in 2001. When faced with a long-awaited reunion with Japan, he aimed to inject new vitality into the local art scene through his creations.

In Untitled, he depicts the subject he truly understands and can confide in —— at times, rebellious, challenging traditions, yet always encouraging us to follow our hearts and pursue our dreams. The children in Yoshitomo Nara's art seem like keys to memories, reflecting the mirror of one's original intentions. As we witness the mischievous smiles of the children in his paintings, it elicits a heartfelt smile, clenches our fists, and inspires a relentless force to move forward, firmly embracing the true self with unwavering determination.

Price estimate:
HKD: 450,000 – 550,000
USD: 57,500 - 70,200

Auction Result:
HKD: --