Yoshitomo Nara: Artist’s Talk
Discover the many inspirations behind Nara’s artwork, and delve deeper into his new Hayward Gallery exhibition in this intimate talk with the artist.
Internationally acclaimed Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara has worked across a broad range of media over the last four decades, ranging from painting and drawing, to sculpture and mixed-media installation.
Nara is particularly famed for his portraits of large-headed and wide-eyed childlike figures. These expressive and iconic images are filled with rebellious attitudes and emotions, gazing back directly at the viewers while conveying a sense of joy, soulfulness and defiance all at once.
Inspired by both European and Japanese art histories, Nara is a keen explorer of various artistic techniques and colour theory. His art is also deeply connected to his lifelong interest in music, his daily encounters and his love for nature that stemmed from his childhood in the northern Tōhoku region in Japan.
For your visit
This event is held at the Purcell Room Southbank Centre
The Purcell Room is located in the Queen Elizabeth Hall, which is open from 90 minutes before events start until they finish. It’s closed at all other times.
Plan your visit
The Purcell Room is an auditorium located within our Queen Elizabeth Hall.
Getting here
Our address is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
The nearest tube stations to us are Waterloo and Embankment; Waterloo is also the nearest train station. And more than 20 different London bus routes pass within 500 metres of our venues. More information on getting here by rail, road or river is available on our Getting here page.
We’re cash-free
Please note that we’re unable to accept cash payments across our venues.
Access
We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.
All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.
All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.
Food & drink
From coffee to cocktails, filling favourites to fine dining, plus some of London’s best street food – it’s all here at the Southbank Centre.