Yoshitomo Nara
The largest ever European retrospective of one of Japan’s most celebrated artists.
Opening Hours
Tue–Fri 10am–6pm
Sat 10am–8pm
Sun 10am–6pm
Closed Mon (except for bank holidays)
Dates
10 Jun
-
31 Aug 2025
Ticket Information
Tickets £20
Southbank Centre members free
Location Info
- Address
- Hayward Gallery, Belvedere Road, London, UK
- AccessAble Link
- View Accessibility Info
Dive into the captivating, creative world of the iconic Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara.
Featuring more than 150 works in drawing, printmaking, painting, sculpture, installation and ceramics, this comprehensive exhibition offers audiences the opportunity to immerse themselves in Nara’s personal and creative worlds.
Celebrated across the globe for his powerful portraits with eyes that gaze back at the viewer, and his drawings that engage with daily experiences. Nara’s work explores themes of resistance, rebellion, isolation, freedom and spirituality.
This thematic exhibition reveals enduring influences on the artist’s work, particularly nature and its mythology, the peace movement, the significance of home, and his love of punk and rock music in popular culture.
The grand exhibition on show at the Hayward Gallery is an expanded version of the recent touring exhibition from the Guggenheim, Bilbao, and Museum Frieder Burda, Baden-Baden, featuring additional work, including early sculptures and new paintings.
To avoid disappointment, make sure to book your tickets in advance – this exhibition is especially popular!
Extended gallery hours in August
Throughout August, the gallery is running extended open hours, staying open until 8pm on Thursdays and Fridays. The exhibition will also be open on two Mondays in August: Monday 18 August and 25 August.
What the critics say:
"...full of punk rock attitude, dark humour and comic book immediacy" ~ The Guardian
"Nara’s play with western pop culture and darker themes like climate change and nuclear war – all packaged up into a deceptively sweet aesthetic – is a true joy to look at. But it’s his painterly skill, when seen up close, which is the real treat." ~ TimeOut
"To spend time with his work is to note the breaking heart in here, and to be reminded of our past little selves. Rediscover punk rock and your inner child at this memorable show." ~ Evening Standard
Yoshitomo Nara gifts at Hayward Gallery Shop
Items from the Hayward Gallery Shop's exclusive limited-edition collections, are always a special purchase. Exclusively designed for the exhibitions on show at the gallery, these artsy items make for super quirky and unique gifts. Highly collectible, you can typically only find these things on sale during the exhibition.
The Yoshitomo Nara collection of gifts on sale at the gallery shop has proven to be phenomenally popular, and the shop has even had to be completely restocked several times to keep up with demand! Particularly popular gifts from this exhibition include T-shirts, Tote bags and mugs featuring works from the exhibition, as well as the official exhibition posters and catalogue.
Explore the exhibition product range here in the online shop.
