The following information is NOT printed on this postcard:

Yoshitomo Nara, (born 4 January 1959 in Hirosaki, Japan) is a contemporary Japanese pop artist. He currently lives and works in Tokyo, though his artwork has been exhibited worldwide. Nara received his B.F.A. (1985) and an M.F.A. (1987) from the Aichi Prefectural University of Fine Arts and Music. Between 1988 and 1993, Nara studied at the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf, in Germany. Nara first came to the fore of the art world during Japan’s Pop art movement in the 1990s.

The subject matter of his sculptures and paintings is deceptively simple: most works depict one seemingly innocuous subject (often pastel-hued children and animals drawn with confident, cartoonish lines) with little or no background. But these children, who appear at first to be cute and even vulnerable, sometimes brandish weapons like knives and saws. Their wide eyes often hold accusatory looks that could be sleepy-eyed irritation at being awoken from a nap—or that could be undiluted expressions of hate. Nara, however, does not see his weapon-wielding subjects as aggressors. "Look at them, they [the weapons] are so small, like toys. Do you think they could fight with those?" he says. "I don’t think so. Rather, I kind of see the children among other, bigger, bad people all around them, who are holding bigger knives…" Lauded by art critics and hipsters alike, Nara’s bizarrely intriguing works have gained him a cult following around the world.

The manga and anime of his 1960s childhood are both clear influences on Nara's stylized, large-eyed figures. Nara subverts these typically cute images, however, by infusing his works with horror-like imagery. This juxtaposition of human evil with the innocent child may be a reaction to Japan's rigid social conventions. The punk rock music of Nara's youth has also influenced the artist's work. Recalling a similar – if more unsettling – image of rebellious, violent youth, Nara's art embraces the punk ethos.

Published by Art Unlimited, Amsterdam.

The postcard features an intriguing and eye-catching design that blends elements of whimsy and motivation. Set against a deep purple background that simulates a textured, almost fabric-like appearance, the card strikes a visually appealing contrast with the main elements in the foreground.

Dominating the center of the postcard is a large speech bubble in a soft, irregular oval shape, filled with a pale pinkish-white color that gives it an ethereal glow. Inside the bubble, the phrase "KILL YOUR TIMID NOTION" is written in bold, uneven letters. The font varies in size and alignment, which adds an artistic, handcrafted feel to the message. The colors of the letters shift from a deep pink to a more muted red, enhancing the visual impact of the text.

To the right of the speech bubble stands a quaint, cartoonish character that adds a significant amount of charm and personality to the postcard. This character, resembling a small animal, possibly a stylized version of a mouse or similar creature, is characterized by large, closed eyes and a serene expression, suggesting a state of peaceful contemplation or resolve. The creature is dressed in a red outfit with darker red shading and accents, and wears a headpiece that resembles animal ears, reinforcing its cute, fantastical nature.

Overall, the postcard exudes a unique blend of motivational message with artistic flair. It encourages the viewer to confront and dispose of their hesitations or fears (“timid notions”), represented in a visually soft yet powerful manner, making it both a piece of art and an inspiring message. The combination of the calming, dream-like design elements with a strongly worded message offers a compelling visual and motivational experience.