Seen: Yoshitomo Nara @ Blum & Poe

December 21st, 2008 — by Beau Basse in Beau Basse's Blog, Shows

Last night was the opening for Yoshitomo Nara’s new show at Blum and Poe in Culver City. A star studded crowd was easily eclipsed by the paintings and installation from Nara and his sidekick Graf. Upon entering the show we were greeted by an enormous painting on wood panel of Nara’s youthful superheroine rocking out on a guitar.

Turning into Gallery I, the “California Orange Covered Wagon” installation greeted us with an accompanying painting titled “Lonely” – which seemed to be the running theme for the show. The “Wagon” was filled with small pieces, toys, sketches, photographs, old mail and other knick-knacks that have had some personal touch with the artist. Check out the gallery below for images from inside the wagon…

Keep reading for much more coverage…

Gallery II opened into a room with several new paintings and sketches centered around “Agent Orange in the Milky Lake” a visually stunning piece. Appearing simple in photographs, the true depth of the work needs to be seen in person. Layer upon layer of subtle color builds up to create a transfixing glow in the final product. For sale at a cool half mil we seriously considered selling our house for this.

Yoshitomo Nara was also in attendance for the show, and was kind enough to chat with me and show us some of the smaller pieces for sale in the back room. He was unbelievably humble and was nice enough to chat about some of his work and the show. Apparently his team has been in town for a few weeks working out of a studio and living in a nearby apartment.

One of our favorite pieces in back….

Some art luminaries were in attendance including Mark Ryden, Marion Peck, Gary Baseman and James Jean who tells us he is nearly finished with his upcoming show in NY. Yoskay Yamamoto also got some time to speak in his native tongue with his Nara…