Art like Yoshitomo Nara: original Neo-Pop & character works to collect
Yoshitomo Nara (b. 1959) ranks #2 worldwide in the Artprice 2023 report, with nearly $98M in auction turnover. His wide-eyed, slightly defiant children — tender and unsettling at once — turned Japanese Neo-Pop into a global language. His market is out of reach for most, but the spirit lives on in today's character-driven and pop-influenced painting.
What defines the Nara style
A single figure on a flat ground, huge eyes, a deceptively simple line and a colour palette that feels like childhood: Nara packs real emotion — loneliness, rebellion, calm — into apparently cute imagery. It's the heart of Neo-Pop and a huge influence on character-based urban art.
Collect originals in this spirit at L'Original
Love that mix of pop simplicity and emotional punch? Explore our modern and street-art collections, where living artists work with bold characters and flat, graphic colour. PickArt will surface the ones closest to the Neo-Pop feeling you're after.
Discover artists you'll love — and find your favourite with PickArt
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Written by
Dorian Verdier
Founder of L'Original · HEC academic author on the democratization of art
Dorian Verdier founded the first gallery of its kind in North America and has spent ten years making original art accessible. His academic work at HEC focuses on the democratization of art, the same conviction that guides every collection on L'Original.
Discover the story of L'OriginalFrequently asked questions
Why is Yoshitomo Nara so valuable?
Nara combines instantly recognisable imagery, deep emotional resonance and strong international demand — especially across Asia — which has pushed his auction results to the very top of the contemporary market.
Where can I find art in the style of Nara?
On L'Original — our modern and street-art collections include original character-driven, pop-influenced works. PickArt matches you with the artist closest to your taste.
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