Dog in the Night

Yoshitomo Nara's upbringing tinged with animation, pop culture and interest in childhood experiences, has invariably shaped the unique stylistic qualities in his works in the very same way as the pioneers of modern artistic expression of the 20th century. The deliberate lack of technical skills brought forth from his studies is misleading as Dog in the Night also reveals a skilfully balanced composition between the diagonal shape of the white dog, contrasted with a textured deep blue background, all held together by the bright red snout in the lower left corner. His limited and overlapping palette also aids in the cohesiveness of the composition and becomes a guide for the viewer's eye, articulating depth in a unique and effective manner.

The white dog is a familiar protagonist in the artist's narrative. He once said, "The docile expression of the dog is an unfortunate reminder of childhood for me."