Artist Yoshitomo Nara was born on December 5, 1959, in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture. After graduating from Aichi Prefectural University of the Arts, he traveled to Germany and enrolled in the Düsseldorf Art Academy in 1988. He moved to Cologne in 1994, where he established a studio and produced numerous works. One of his most notable works is "Mumps," released in 1996. In this work, Nara uses acrylic paint to depict a girl with glaring eyes. Her unforgettable appearance, pop colors, and unique aesthetic have helped Nara become more well-known and garner him worldwide acclaim. After returning to Japan in 2000, he held a solo exhibition, "I DON'T MIND, IF YOU FORGET ME.", at five locations across the country the following year. This exhibition generated buzz, and Nara's name quickly became known throughout Japan. In particular, an exhibition held in his hometown of Hirosaki attracted more than 4,600 volunteers to help set up the venue, drawing attention for the large scale of citizen participation. His solo exhibitions abroad have also received acclaim, with his 2010 exhibition "Nobody's Fool" at the Asia Society Museum in New York breaking the museum's record for the largest audience. While initially focusing on painting, Nara began working with drawings and three-dimensional pieces after returning to Japan, and in 2007 began working with ceramics. He is also known for his love of rock music, having been commissioned by bands such as Shonen Knife and Bloodthirsty Butchers to create artwork for their albums. These efforts were recognized with the New York International Center Award in 2010 and the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's Art Encouragement Prize in 2013. Some of his works can be seen at the Aomori Museum of Art and other venues, and more recently, Nara's works were exhibited at the "Flowers" exhibition held in Towada City in 2013 and the "Towada Oirase Art Festival."