Shigeru Arai Tribute Exhibition Brings Sofubi Art Dolls to Milan

A tribute to Japanese artist Shigeru Arai, known as NAGNAGNAG, is on view at N.51 gallery in Milan through June 6, 2026. The exhibition traces the history of sofubi (soft vinyl) dolls, which emerged in Japan during the 1950s-60s as a safer alternative to highly flammable cellulose toys. Arai, active since the 1990s, pioneered artistic sofubi in 2008 by adding unique hand-finishing: biting the soft vinyl, applying up to twenty paint layers, and inscribing each doll's foot with "Made in occupied Japan – fuck the USA." The show features works from 2008 to 2023, including his signature "Violent Primitive Men" and "Godzilla" series, plus a collaboration with artist Yamamoto Ayano. The gallery space is transformed with graffiti to reflect Arai's punk spirit and street-art-based promotional strategy.