Nara at Marianne Boesky Gallery

Last Saturday evening, on a very cold winter's day, I decided to go west and much further uptown than I've been in a very long time to Chelsea. This is by no means a small feat but somewhat more tolerable when your companion is obsessed with the NYC bus system and can navigate you there with minimal walking in a very reasonable amount of time.

The purpose of this quest was to attend the opening reception of a show by Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara at the Marianne Boesky Gallery.

This exhibit was the fourth solo show by the artist at this particular gallery. It featured a number of drawings and paintings of Nara's trademark girl character. The most interesting part was two immense hut-like houses that were constructed in the back of the gallery, one filled with stuffed animals.

Inside sources revealed that the artist almost did not make it to his own opening reception because he spent the previous night in jail for defacing public property. A few drinks, an artist and a marker can really only lead to one thing. Who can blame him? The world is his canvas.

The show is up until March 28th.