LOT DETAILS｜SBI Art Auction

25 - 26 January 2025 Modern and Contemporary Art

LOT 086

NARA Yoshitomo

In the Floating World (Complete set of 16) (YNF2558 - 2573)

Detail

Studio No. E-1999-001 - 016

1999
Fuji Xerox copy, the complete set of 16 works with original case
Signed, dated and numbered on the lower part (each)
[1-12] S. 41.5 × 29.5 cm (16⅜ × 11⅝ in.) (each) [13-16] S. 29.5 × 41.5 cm (11⅝ × 16⅜ in.) (each)
ED. 50
Framed
Publisher: Tomio Koyama Gallery, Tokyo

Estimate

¥15,000,000 - 25,000,000

$99,300 - 165,600

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Provenance: NADiff, Tokyo／Private Collection, Japan

Exhibited: April 2 - May 10, 1999 "In the Floating World" NADiff, Tokyo

Literature: "YOSHITOMO NARA: THE COMPLETE WORKS, Volume 1: PAINTINGS, SCULPTURES, EDITIONS, PHOTOGRAPHS" Bijutsu Shuppan-sya, 2011, E-1999-001 - 016
"Lullaby Supermarket" KADOKAWA CORPORATION, 2001, P. 66 - 71
"UKIYO YOSHITOMO NARA" Little More, 2002

Condition: Each is in good condition. There are minor creases, undulation, and handling marks on each artwork. There are fluffs of paper, minor scratches and minor stains on some of the works (please refer to the UV photographed images). [1] Slash with a Knife [2] Goldfish [3] Ocean Child [4] Little Tannenbaum [5] Cup Kid [6] What’s Going On ? [7] Punk Ebizo [8] Sword and Starlit Night [9] Mirror [10] No Fun ! [11] Fuck ’bout Everything [12] Angry Face [13] Full Moon Night [14] White Fujiyama Ski Gelände [15] No Nukes ! [16] Rescue Puppy

　"In the Floating World" is the inaugural print series by Nara Yoshitomo, consisting of 16 pieces that reimagine Edo-period ukiyo-e through contemporary art with Nara’s distinctive expressive style. Eschewing traditional woodblock printing, Nara opted for Fuji Xerox copying, integrating a familiar modern tool into his artistic process.
　Without entirely breaking down the original ukiyo-e compositions, Nara retained recognizable elements of the original work, cleverly bridging the contrasting worlds of Edo and the present day.
　For instance, in Mirror from "In the Floating World" (in lower left), based on Kitagawa Utamaro's Sugatami Shichinin Keshō (Seven Women Applying Make-up Using a Mirror), the reflection of a woman in the mirror is replaced with Nara’s iconic depiction of a young girl. The silent girl appears to embody a quiet defiance.
　This rare, complete set, preserved in its original case, has been meticulously cared for by its current owner since its acquisition at a 1999 solo exhibition, and it remains a treasured artwork more than a quarter-century later.