At the Hirshhorn, Nara enlarges an intimate sculpting gesture
· BehindLines newsroom
Three large heads by Yoshitomo Nara make up Sentinels of Stillness, announced at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington from 31 October 2026 to 7 November 2027. The presentation connects a manual gesture, shaping a small piece of clay, with its transformation into a monumental work.
According to the museum, the sculptures occupy the garden's west lawn. Their titles are Long Tall Peace Sister, Smiling and Tiny Bright Round Eyes. Dated 2025, they enlarge clay heads made in 2021.
From clay to aluminium
The change in scale also brings a change in material. The works are made of aluminium and coated with white urethane paint. The Hirshhorn links this whiteness to the artist's memories of snowy winters in Japan. Light falling on the surfaces is as much a part of the presentation as the outlines of the faces.
David Zwirner gallery says Nara developed the idea for these enlargements in 2020 while working on prototypes small enough to hold in his hand. A small object thus becomes the starting point for a presence that transforms the space around a visitor.
Another way into his work
Known for his drawn and painted characters, Nara also has an established sculptural practice. His gallery's account recalls experiments with wood, synthetic materials and ceramics. This variety encourages viewers to see the three works as a stage in an exploration of materials, beyond their resemblance to familiar faces.
Free public tours and educational activities are announced alongside the exhibition. The dates and description come from the organisers and do not replace checking access arrangements before travelling. Above all, the relationship between the model's size and the finished work offers a straightforward way to approach the installation.