This relatively early work by Yoshitomo Nara shows the beginnings of his signature style that often depicts cartoonish children with complex, sometimes menacing, expressions. This work is reminiscent of religious icons in which a central spiritual figure is isolated in order to maximize our devotional attention and adoration.

While Nara’s current style features clean lines and flat colors, this early work is more gritty with a smudgy background and slightly muddled areas of color that spill beyond undulating outlines. As a result, the girl floats in a fog that enhances her strange expression. As the girl’s eyes bore into us, we can’t help but wonder what she is asking for or trying to say

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