Portraits from the Collection

Yasumasa Morimura was born in Osaka, Japan in 1951 and studied at Kyoto City University of the Arts. Known as an “appropriation artist,” Morimura creates self-portraits by superimposing his own image onto historical pieces of art, typically through photography and digital methods. With the help of props, costumes, and make-up, Morimura inserts his face and body into works by well-known artists including Diego Velásquez, Edouard Manet, Vincent Van Goh, Cindy Sherman, and Pablo Picasso. In addition, Morimura has parodied portraits of political leaders (such as Ché Guevara and Mao Zedong) and Hollywood stars (including Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe). Morimura’s impersonations often showcase female figures, through which he challenges gender stereotypes, preconceptions of identity, and normative beauty ideals. His work reflects on the expression of the self and how portraiture can blend, transform, and comment on Western celebrity/art culture, often through a Japanese perspective. Through solo and group exhibitions, both public and private, Morimura simultaneously mocks and celebrates his subjects while exploring aspects of identity and gender representation.