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Yasumasa Morimura - Artists - Luhring Augustine
Yasumasa Morimura - Artists - Luhring Augustine

Yasumasa Morimura
Portrait (Van Gogh), 1985 
Color photograph
47 1/4 x 39 1/2 inches
(120 x 100.3 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura (born 1951, Osaka, Japan) has been working as a conceptual photographer and filmmaker for more than three decades. Through extensive use of props, costumes, makeup, and digital manipulation, the artist masterfully transforms himself into recognizable subjects, often from the Western cultural canon. Morimura has based works on seminal paintings by Frida Kahlo, Vincent Van Gogh, and Diego Velázquez, as well as images culled from historical materials, mass media, and popular culture. The artist’s reinvention of iconic photographs and art historical masterpieces challenges the associations the viewer has with the subjects, while also commenting on Japan's complex absorption of Western culture. Through his depiction of female stars and characters, Morimura subverts the concept of the “male gaze”; within each image he both challenges the authority of identity and overturns the traditional scope of self-portraiture.

​The artist has had solo exhibitions at the Kyoto City Kyocera Museum of Art, Kyoto; Artizon Museum, Tokyo; Hara Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo; the Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh; Japan Society, New York; the National Museum of Modern Art, Osaka, Japan; the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts, Moscow; and the Sammlung Friedrichshof in Zurndorf, Austria. Morimura's work has been collected by numerous prominent public and private collections, including the Whitney Museum of American Art, The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago, The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, and the Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh.

Artworks Nested Slideshow

Artworks Nested Slideshow Thumbnails
Yasumasa Morimura
Self-Portraits through Art History (Van Gogh’s Room), 2016
Color photograph
Edition of 5
57 x 86 inches
(145 x 218.5 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
Self-Portraits through Art History (Van Gogh’s Room), 2016
Color photograph
Edition of 5
57 x 86 inches
(145 x 218.5 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
Self-Portraits through Art History (Van Eyck in a Red Turban), 2016/2018
Chromogenic print, transparent medium
Edition of 10
10 1/8 x 7 1/4 inches
(25.7 x 18.4 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
Self-Portraits through Art History (Van Eyck in a Red Turban), 2016/2018
Chromogenic print, transparent medium
Edition of 10
10 1/8 x 7 1/4 inches
(25.7 x 18.4 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
Self-Portraits through Art History (Magritte / Triple Personality), 2016
Color photograph
Edition 5
57 x 78 5/8 inches
(145 x 200 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
Self-Portraits through Art History (Magritte / Triple Personality), 2016
Color photograph
Edition 5
57 x 78 5/8 inches
(145 x 200 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
Une Moderne Olympia 2018, 2018
Chromogenic print
Edition of 5
82 5/8 x 118 inches
(210 x 300 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
Une Moderne Olympia 2018, 2018
Chromogenic print
Edition of 5
82 5/8 x 118 inches
(210 x 300 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
Living in the realm of the painting (The queen), 2013
Chromogenic print
Edition of 10
31 1/2 x 25 1/4 inches
(80 x 64.2 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
Living in the realm of the painting (The queen), 2013
Chromogenic print
Edition of 10
31 1/2 x 25 1/4 inches
(80 x 64.2 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
In praise of Velazquez: Distinguished ones in confinement, 2013
Chromogenic print
Edition of 10
30 11/16 x 25 9/16 inches
(78 x 65 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
In praise of Velazquez: Distinguished ones in confinement, 2013
Chromogenic print
Edition of 10
30 11/16 x 25 9/16 inches
(78 x 65 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
Las Meninas renacen de noche IV: Peering at the secret scene behind the artist, 2013
Chromogenic print
Edition of 5
58 1/4 x 65 3/4 inches
(148 x 167 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
Las Meninas renacen de noche IV: Peering at the secret scene behind the artist, 2013
Chromogenic print
Edition of 5
58 1/4 x 65 3/4 inches
(148 x 167 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
Vermeer Study: Looking Back (Mirror), 2008
C-print on canvas
Edition of 10
17 1/2 x 15 3/8 inches
(44.5 x 39 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
Vermeer Study: Looking Back (Mirror), 2008
C-print on canvas
Edition of 10
17 1/2 x 15 3/8 inches
(44.5 x 39 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
A Requiem: Red Dream / Mao, 2007
C-print mounted on alpolic, color
Edition of 7
59 x 47 1/4 inches
(150 x 120 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
A Requiem: Red Dream / Mao, 2007
C-print mounted on alpolic, color
Edition of 7
59 x 47 1/4 inches
(150 x 120 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
A Requiem: Theater of Creativity / Self-portrait as Jackson Pollock, 2010
Gelatin silver print
Edition of 10
47 1/4 x 35 3/8 inches
(120 x 90 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
A Requiem: Theater of Creativity / Self-portrait as Jackson Pollock, 2010
Gelatin silver print
Edition of 10
47 1/4 x 35 3/8 inches
(120 x 90 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
A Requiem: Dream of Universe / Albert 1, 2007
Gelatin silver print mounted on alpolic
Edition of 10
47 1/4 x 37 3/4 inches
(120 x 96 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
A Requiem: Dream of Universe / Albert 1, 2007
Gelatin silver print mounted on alpolic
Edition of 10
47 1/4 x 37 3/4 inches
(120 x 96 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
Look, this is in fashion!, 2004
C-print
Edition of 10
63 x 47 1/4 inches
(160 x 120 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
Look, this is in fashion!, 2004
C-print
Edition of 10
63 x 47 1/4 inches
(160 x 120 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
Exchange of Devouring, 2004
Chromogenic print mounted on canvas
Edition of 5
70 7/8 x 47 1/4 inches
(180 x 120 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
Exchange of Devouring, 2004
Chromogenic print mounted on canvas
Edition of 5
70 7/8 x 47 1/4 inches
(180 x 120 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
Dedicated to La Duquesa de Alba/ Black Alba, 2004
C-Print on canvas
Edition of 5
70 7/8 x 47 1/4 inches
(180 x 120 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
Dedicated to La Duquesa de Alba/ Black Alba, 2004
C-Print on canvas
Edition of 5
70 7/8 x 47 1/4 inches
(180 x 120 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
An Inner Dialogue with Frida Kahlo (Four Parrots), 2001
Color photograph
Edition of 5
59 x 47 1/4 inches
(149.86 x 120.02 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
An Inner Dialogue with Frida Kahlo (Four Parrots), 2001
Color photograph
Edition of 5
59 x 47 1/4 inches
(149.86 x 120.02 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
An Inner Dialogue with Frida Kahlo (Flower Wreath and Tears), 2001
Color photograph
Edition of 5
59 x 47 1/4 inches
(149.86 x 120.02 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
An Inner Dialogue with Frida Kahlo (Flower Wreath and Tears), 2001
Color photograph
Edition of 5
59 x 47 1/4 inches
(149.86 x 120.02 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
An Inner Dialogue with Frida Kahlo (Hand Shaped Earring), 2001
Color photograph
Edition of 10
47 1/4 x 37 3/4 inches
(120.02 x 95.89 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
An Inner Dialogue with Frida Kahlo (Hand Shaped Earring), 2001
Color photograph
Edition of 10
47 1/4 x 37 3/4 inches
(120.02 x 95.89 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
One Hundred M's self-portraits, 1993-2000
100 gelatin silver photographs
Edition of 12
Each: 13 3/4 x 11 inches (35 x 28 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
One Hundred M's self-portraits, 1993-2000
100 gelatin silver photographs
Edition of 12
Each: 13 3/4 x 11 inches (35 x 28 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
To My Little Sister / For Cindy Sherman, 1998
Ilfochrome mounted on aluminum
Edition of 12
55 x 31 inches
(139.7 x 78.7 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
To My Little Sister / For Cindy Sherman, 1998
Ilfochrome mounted on aluminum
Edition of 12
55 x 31 inches
(139.7 x 78.7 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
Self-portrait (Actress) / After Red Marilyn, 1996
Ilfochrome print mounted on acrylic sheet
Edition of 3: 65 1/2 x 81 1/4 inches (166.4 x 206.4 cm)
Edition of 10: 47 1/4 x 37 3/8 inches (120 x 95 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
Self-portrait (Actress) / After Red Marilyn, 1996
Ilfochrome print mounted on acrylic sheet
Edition of 3: 65 1/2 x 81 1/4 inches (166.4 x 206.4 cm)
Edition of 10: 47 1/4 x 37 3/8 inches (120 x 95 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
Self-portrait (Actress) / After Elizabeth Taylor 1, 1996
Ilfochrome print mounted on acrylic
Edition of 10
47 1/4 x 37 1/4 inches
(120.02 x 94.62 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
Self-portrait (Actress) / After Elizabeth Taylor 1, 1996
Ilfochrome print mounted on acrylic
Edition of 10
47 1/4 x 37 1/4 inches
(120.02 x 94.62 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
Self-Portrait (Actress) After Brigitte Bardot 2, 1996
Ilfochrome print
47 1/4 x 37 2/5 inches
(120 x 95 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
Self-Portrait (Actress) After Brigitte Bardot 2, 1996
Ilfochrome print
47 1/4 x 37 2/5 inches
(120 x 95 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
Self-Portrait as The Prodigal Son – 1636, 1994
C-print
60 1/4 x 49 1/4 inches
(153 x 125.1 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
Self-Portrait as The Prodigal Son – 1636, 1994
C-print
60 1/4 x 49 1/4 inches
(153 x 125.1 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
Daughter of Art History (Princess A), 1990
Color photograph
Edition of 5
82 3/4 x 63 inches
(210.2 x 160 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
Daughter of Art History (Princess A), 1990
Color photograph
Edition of 5
82 3/4 x 63 inches
(210.2 x 160 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
Portrait (Futago), 1988
Color photograph
Edition of 5
82 3/4 x 118 inches
(210.19 x 299.72 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
Portrait (Futago), 1988
Color photograph
Edition of 5
82 3/4 x 118 inches
(210.19 x 299.72 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
Doublonnage (Marcel), 1988
Color photograph
Edition of 10
59 x 47 1/4 inches
(149.86 x 120.02 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
Doublonnage (Marcel), 1988
Color photograph
Edition of 10
59 x 47 1/4 inches
(149.86 x 120.02 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
Portrait (Van Gogh), 1985 
Color photograph
47 1/4 x 39 1/2 inches
(120 x 100.3 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
Portrait (Van Gogh), 1985 
Color photograph
47 1/4 x 39 1/2 inches
(120 x 100.3 cm)

Yasumasa Morimura
Self-Portraits through Art History (Van Gogh’s Room), 2016
Color photograph
Edition of 5
57 x 86 inches
(145 x 218.5 cm)
Yasumasa Morimura
Self-Portraits through Art History (Van Eyck in a Red Turban), 2016/2018
Chromogenic print, transparent medium
Edition of 10
10 1/8 x 7 1/4 inches
(25.7 x 18.4 cm)
Yasumasa Morimura
Self-Portraits through Art History (Magritte / Triple Personality), 2016
Color photograph
Edition 5
57 x 78 5/8 inches
(145 x 200 cm)
Yasumasa Morimura
Une Moderne Olympia 2018, 2018
Chromogenic print
Edition of 5
82 5/8 x 118 inches
(210 x 300 cm)
Yasumasa Morimura
Living in the realm of the painting (The queen), 2013
Chromogenic print
Edition of 10
31 1/2 x 25 1/4 inches
(80 x 64.2 cm)
Yasumasa Morimura
In praise of Velazquez: Distinguished ones in confinement, 2013
Chromogenic print
Edition of 10
30 11/16 x 25 9/16 inches
(78 x 65 cm)
Yasumasa Morimura
Las Meninas renacen de noche IV: Peering at the secret scene behind the artist, 2013
Chromogenic print
Edition of 5
58 1/4 x 65 3/4 inches
(148 x 167 cm)
Yasumasa Morimura
Vermeer Study: Looking Back (Mirror), 2008
C-print on canvas
Edition of 10
17 1/2 x 15 3/8 inches
(44.5 x 39 cm)
Yasumasa Morimura
A Requiem: Red Dream / Mao, 2007
C-print mounted on alpolic, color
Edition of 7
59 x 47 1/4 inches
(150 x 120 cm)
Yasumasa Morimura
A Requiem: Theater of Creativity / Self-portrait as Jackson Pollock, 2010
Gelatin silver print
Edition of 10
47 1/4 x 35 3/8 inches
(120 x 90 cm)
Yasumasa Morimura
A Requiem: Dream of Universe / Albert 1, 2007
Gelatin silver print mounted on alpolic
Edition of 10
47 1/4 x 37 3/4 inches
(120 x 96 cm)
Yasumasa Morimura
Look, this is in fashion!, 2004
C-print
Edition of 10
63 x 47 1/4 inches
(160 x 120 cm)
Yasumasa Morimura
Exchange of Devouring, 2004
Chromogenic print mounted on canvas
Edition of 5
70 7/8 x 47 1/4 inches
(180 x 120 cm)
Yasumasa Morimura
Dedicated to La Duquesa de Alba/ Black Alba, 2004
C-Print on canvas
Edition of 5
70 7/8 x 47 1/4 inches
(180 x 120 cm)
Yasumasa Morimura
An Inner Dialogue with Frida Kahlo (Four Parrots), 2001
Color photograph
Edition of 5
59 x 47 1/4 inches
(149.86 x 120.02 cm)
Yasumasa Morimura
An Inner Dialogue with Frida Kahlo (Flower Wreath and Tears), 2001
Color photograph
Edition of 5
59 x 47 1/4 inches
(149.86 x 120.02 cm)
Yasumasa Morimura
An Inner Dialogue with Frida Kahlo (Hand Shaped Earring), 2001
Color photograph
Edition of 10
47 1/4 x 37 3/4 inches
(120.02 x 95.89 cm)
Yasumasa Morimura
One Hundred M's self-portraits, 1993-2000
100 gelatin silver photographs
Edition of 12
Each: 13 3/4 x 11 inches (35 x 28 cm)
Yasumasa Morimura
To My Little Sister / For Cindy Sherman, 1998
Ilfochrome mounted on aluminum
Edition of 12
55 x 31 inches
(139.7 x 78.7 cm)
Yasumasa Morimura
Self-portrait (Actress) / After Red Marilyn, 1996
Ilfochrome print mounted on acrylic sheet
Edition of 3: 65 1/2 x 81 1/4 inches (166.4 x 206.4 cm)
Edition of 10: 47 1/4 x 37 3/8 inches (120 x 95 cm)
Yasumasa Morimura
Self-portrait (Actress) / After Elizabeth Taylor 1, 1996
Ilfochrome print mounted on acrylic
Edition of 10
47 1/4 x 37 1/4 inches
(120.02 x 94.62 cm)
Yasumasa Morimura
Self-Portrait (Actress) After Brigitte Bardot 2, 1996
Ilfochrome print
47 1/4 x 37 2/5 inches
(120 x 95 cm)
Yasumasa Morimura
Self-Portrait as The Prodigal Son – 1636, 1994
C-print
60 1/4 x 49 1/4 inches
(153 x 125.1 cm)
Yasumasa Morimura
Daughter of Art History (Princess A), 1990
Color photograph
Edition of 5
82 3/4 x 63 inches
(210.2 x 160 cm)
Yasumasa Morimura
Portrait (Futago), 1988
Color photograph
Edition of 5
82 3/4 x 118 inches
(210.19 x 299.72 cm)
Yasumasa Morimura
Doublonnage (Marcel), 1988
Color photograph
Edition of 10
59 x 47 1/4 inches
(149.86 x 120.02 cm)
Yasumasa Morimura
Portrait (Van Gogh), 1985 
Color photograph
47 1/4 x 39 1/2 inches
(120 x 100.3 cm)

Contact

For more information, please contact Sasha Helinski at sasha@luhringaugustine.com

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