We are punks Mug Large,
2011
Yoshitomo Nara
Design : Artistic Tableware, Porcelain
9.5 x 8.5 x 8.5 cm 3.7 x 3.3 x 3.3 inch
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About the artwork
Type
Open edition
Signature
Not Signed
Authenticity
Invoice from the gallery
Medium
Dimensions cm • inch
9.5 x 8.5 x 8.5 cm 3.7 x 3.3 x 3.3 inch Height x Width x Depth
Framing
Not framed
Tags
Artwork sold in perfect condition
Artwork location: Spain
Edition: Open
Size: 95 x Φ85 mm (300ml)
Brand new, inside its custom box
The big sibling in Yoshitomo Nara's porcelain series, this 300 cc mug features a vampire-fanged girl peering over a wall on its side with the quiet menace of someone who arrived first and has no intention of leaving. "We Are Punks" is printed on the exterior as both a title and a statement of intent. The image derives from Nara's 2011 colour-pencil drawing of the same name, part of a practice where childhood defiance and subcultural energy merge into a visual language recognisable across a room.
Made in Hasami ware from Nagasaki Prefecture, the mug is fired, glazed and finished in Japan. Hasami potters developed their craft supplying everyday tableware to the domestic market, which means the porcelain is built to be used, not merely admired. It is microwave and dishwasher safe. The white ground is clean and unglazed on the outside where the illustration sits, giving the print a tactile, almost paper-like quality that feels closer to a drawing than to a mass-produced transfer.
At 300 cc it holds enough coffee to start the morning with the same stubborn composure Nara's children have been modelling for over three decades. Pair it with the small mug: the two stack together and, like any well-conceived double act, gain from being seen as a set. That stacking detail is not accidental. Nara has long been interested in objects that nest inside one another. His room-sized installations are built as huts and cabins that shelter smaller works, creating a mise en abyme of intimacy. Two mugs sitting one inside the other carry a faint echo of that idea, scaled down to the kitchen shelf.
Discover more by the artist
Presentation
Yoshitomo Nara, born in 1959 in Japan, is a celebrated contemporary artist known for his distinctive blend of Japanese Pop Art, punk influences, and elements of graffiti, manga, and American cartoons. After earning a degree in Fine Arts from the University of Arts of Aichi, he further honed his artistic practice by obtaining a second master's degree from the Kunst Akademie Düsseldorf in 1987. Nara's work emerged in the 1990s as a prominent voice within the Japanese Pop Art movement, quickly capturing international attention for its unique style and narrative depth.
In 2024, Nara's work was featured in a major exhibition at the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, marking his first significant solo show in Spain. The exhibition, which ran from June 28 to November 3, 2024, showcased a comprehensive selection of his paintings, sculptures, and installations, reflecting the depth and evolution of his artistic journey
In 2025, Nara's exploration of new mediums and techniques continues to push boundaries. Recently, he has expanded his creative practice into large-scale sculptures and immersive installations, further blurring the lines between traditional and contemporary art. His latest exhibition, The Little Wanderer at a Tokyo museum, showcases these evolving works, drawing attention to his exploration of emotional expression through three-dimensional pieces. As Nara embraces new technologies and approaches, his work remains a vibrant and influential force in the contemporary art world.
Nara's artwork is defined by his iconic depictions of mischievous, sometimes violent, and often enigmatic figures. His subjects—typically children or animals—exhibit a striking duality, combining innocence with an underlying sense of rebellion. These characters evoke both tenderness and coldness, creating an emotional tension that invites curiosity and introspection. His artworks are captivating due to their elusive nature, often leaving the viewer with more questions than answers. With over forty solo exhibitions worldwide, Yoshitomo Nara's influence continues to grow. His works are part of significant collections in renowned institutions, and he is represented by prominent galleries in New York and Los Angeles.
Illustration
Sculptors
Printmakers
Artists working in drawing
Designers
Japanese
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