There Is No Place Like Home

The subject matter of There is No Place Like Home cannot be more straightforward. A simple phrase communicates a sentiment felt by all the travellers around the world. Painted in 1995, Yoshitomo Nara was studying art in Germany at the time. The subjective differences in culture and language created barriers for him in his daily life. The prevailing sense of loneliness often found in his oeuvre is the result from this period. Depicting scenes of solitude became a specialty of Nara. This state of existence also reflects the traditional Japanese aesthetic of Mono no aware (the pathos of things).

The composition of There is No Place Like Home is a rare specimen from that particular period that uses depth of field and the environment to aid the narrative. With her eyes closed, a girl follows a winding path towards a little house in the distance. In terms of visual arrangement, the gentle curve that delineates the rolling hills perfectly connects the character with the house, and the visual dialogue between the little girl's red dress and the red roof creates a fascinating relationship. Compared to other works with empty backgrounds, it is apparent that this work uses the environment to succinctly articulate the artist's longing for home from a distant land. A little house becomes a symbol that signifies peace and warmth.