Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Japanese Artist Busted For Subway Station Graffiti
By
Jen Carlson
Published Mar 11, 2009
Modified Mar 11, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Carlson
Published Mar 11, 2009
Modified Mar 11, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
An inebriated 49-year-old artist was recently busted for drawing a smiley face at an L train stop. Well that certainly isn't the way you want to go down the night before your big gallery opening! The NY Post reports that the Japanese pop artist Yoshitomo Nara was caught red handed at 3:30 a.m. on Feb. 27th, putting Sharpie to brick (which has since been cleaned, but some say would have been worth around $10K).
Nara was charged with resisting arrest, making graffiti, criminal mischief, possession of graffiti tools and damaging property—but those charges will be dropped if he does not get in legal trouble for a year. The other bright side: He told Art in America that he looks at his time behind bars as "a nice experience in my life," encountering people he wouldn't have otherwise, "Like in the movies."
Nara's lawyer, who said his client had been working all day on the gallery exhibit and had some drinks, also expressed the artist's remorse, "The guy was in the subway. He had a few drinks and drew a little smiley face. He was wrong. He took his lumps. He spent a night in jail. He has respect for the police and the legal system.... This guy is a positive, upbeat guy. He felt that it was an experience he should learn from." Nara's exhibit is on view at Boesky through March 28th, and his show at the Asia Society will open in September 2010.
Tagged
arrested
Boesky
graffiti
Nara
subway
Yoshitomo Nara
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
DSA to Mamdani: Fire NYPD commissioner if ICE doesn't leave NYC
The DSA's NYC chapter accused the NYPD of collaborating with ICE and demanded Mayor Mamdani hold Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch responsible.
By
Elizabeth Kim
,
Brigid Bergin
and
Ben Feuerherd
Published Oct 9, 2026 at 6:31 p.m. ET
Two people killed in Bronx vehicle crash
When officers arrived on the scene in Allerton Friday afternoon, they found three pedestrians who were unconscious with trauma to the head and body, according to the NYPD. Two individuals later died.
By
Kaya Laterman
News
Two people killed in Bronx vehicle crash
When officers arrived on the scene in Allerton Friday afternoon, they found three pedestrians who were unconscious with trauma to the head and body, according to the NYPD. Two individuals later died.
By
Kaya Laterman
NY will opt in Trump’s school choice program, Hochul says
By
Jon Campbell
Residents, lawmakers warned for months of potential for deadly ICE activity in Marble Hill
By
David Brand
Manhattan DA argues judge shouldn't dismiss state charges against Luigi Mangione
By
Samantha Max
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .