Yusuke Hanai (b. 1978) We Will Fly Again, 2020 Hand painted wood 18-1/2 x 13-1/4 x 10 inches (47.0 x 33.8 x 25.4 cm) Ed. 14/15 Signed in ink and numbered to the underside of the feet Yusuke Hanai is a Japanese artist, illustrator, and surfer who cites the 1960s west coast counterculture and global surf culture as his artistic influences. Known for his depictions of contemplative "slackers", Hanai says that his work aims to encourage ordinary people facing the challenges of life to approach their hardships both realistically and optimistically. This piece, "We Will Fly Again," is a continuation of his collaboration with AllRightsReserved and a thematic follow-up to his earlier sculpture, "Down But Not Out", which depicted a frustrated, cynical man holding a bottle. In this piece, the man’s expression is still downtrodden and uncertain, but significantly softened as he holds a bird in his hand. This progression captures Hanai’s theme of acceptance of life’s circumstances while maintaining hope for the future. Given the context of their release during the COVID-19 pandemic, these sculptures were especially poignant and deeply relatable for many, leading to Hanai’s work as a whole gaining in popularity. This very special wood version was only available to friends and family, not to be confused with the vinyl version. HID00307232019 © 2022 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved