Yoshitomo Nara: My Imperfect Self

奈良美智：不完美的自己，可愛背後的叛逆與情感
【奈良美智2025年洛杉磯個展圖錄--追溯奈良如何將可愛美學轉化為更深沉的情緒世界，並回望自2011年以來的創作根源。】

本書為奈良美智 2025 年於洛杉磯 BLUM 畫廊展覽《My Imperfect Self》的完整圖錄。書中收錄藝術史學者 Yeewan Koon 全新專文，以及奈良近年的青銅雕塑、創作草圖與展覽紀錄影像。這些雕塑最初以掌心大小的黏土作品誕生，再轉化為青銅，仍保留手作的柔軟質感與指痕痕跡。作品中的孩童、狗與老人形象，帶著奈良標誌性的怪奇與黑色幽默，也映照他長年探索的主題：純真、孤獨與情感深度。這些作品共同展現奈良如何將「kawaii」美學轉化為一個迷人而叛逆的異世界。

Filled with quirky, playful exhibition photographs, this Nara catalog surveys the translation of his signature rebellious aesthetic to statues in bronze and clay

Documenting Yoshitomo Nara's 2025 exhibition at BLUM Los Angeles, My Imperfect Self traces the artist's turn toward bronze sculpture and the poetic potential of imperfection. Including a newly commissioned essay by art historian Yeewan Koon, this book brings together recent works, preparatory drawings and playful photographs of children, dogs and elders--figures that reflect Nara's ongoing curiosity about innocence, experience and emotional depth. It also features 11 mid-size head sculptures exuding a quirky strangeness and dark charm that defines the artist's work. Although cast in bronze, they were first made in clay as palm size pieces. In their transformed state, the malleable nature of the clay's original form remains evident, enticing viewers to retrace Nara's touch across its pillowy surface. These heads, presented for the first time, are integral to Nara's exploration in clay, intertwining ideas and techniques developed since 2011, but also express a poignant return to his roots. Seen together, all the featured works highlight how far Nara has transformed the kawaii aesthetic into an alternate realm of beguiling misfits.
Yoshitomo Nara was born in 1959 in Aomori, Japan, and graduated with a master's degree from Aichi Prefectural University of Fine Arts and Music and later studied at Kunstakademie Düsseldorf. His drawings and paintings are informed by a range of influences, from manga and anime to punk rock. He has also worked in sculpture, ceramic and large-scale installation.