This Gender Bending Artist Is Re-Imagining The World’s Most Iconic Images

Yasumasa Morimura may be Japan’s most well-known appropriation artist. He’s reimagined some of the best-known images in the world. Morimura has painted himself into iconic pieces of art and superimposes himself into historical photographs. His aim has been to push racial, ethnic and gender boundaries in his conservative Japan and worldwide.

As Mona Lisa

He’s transformed himself into Marilyn Monroe and Frida Kahlo to challenge what is masculine and what is feminine. To protest fascism, he painted himself as Vladimir Lenin. He confronts the horrors of war by becoming an about-to-be executed member of the Viet Cong. For 30 years he has used his re-appropriation of classic images to challenge societal norms.

Morimura portraying Lee Harvey Oswald and the officers.

Morimura as Audrey Hepburn.

Morimura as The Girl With The Pearl Earring.

Morimura as an executed Viet Cong.

Yasumasa Morimura’s new exhibit, Ego Obscura, will be at The Japan Society in NYC now through January 13, 2019.