A few days ago, an email appeared in my inbox.
From Yoshitomo Nara, offering me a wonderful opportunity to show my work in a group show that he was curating. Twenty special upcoming artists, and I was the chosen one.
At least, that’s what it said.

If you don’t know him, he is my favourite artist. I adore his work. And for a split second my heart actually jumped, but then it sank, because after the first few lines it became clear: this was not the real Yoshitomo Nara.

It was the beginning of an art scam.
But I decided to go along with it anyway, just because I was curious. I really wanted to see what they wanted (well, money, of course. But how were they going to play it?).

So I was invited to a “Private Art Exhibition” and personally selected by Nara himself. I was supposed to contact his "assistant" on WhatsApp.

Since I had time on my hands that day, I decided to pretend not to have WhatsApp and see where this would go, if they couldn’t instantly lure me into a private messenger app.

At this point, Jeff Koons suddenly appeared in the story.
Apparently, he was part of the show and would graciously take only 14% if my art sold, but only if I paid my participation fee.

At this point, I had already sent a screenshot of these emails to the real Yoshitomo Nara on Instagram, just to let him know that this scam was out there. He warned people through his stories.

Now, my reply to the very keen assistant Christopher:

And this is how it ended. The reason I made a blog about it?

First, I think it is a good thing that this is out there, hopefully for people to find who might get an email like this. Obviously, they do try it with different names. And I don't think that 500 dollars would have been the end of this.

Second, I really think it is cruel to make money off of our deepest fears and dreams: the fear of our art not being seen, and the hope of finally being found, of finally being where you think you should be. Up there with other big names, making expensive art. Like Ed Sheeran, Adrien Brody and Johnny Depp. Well, the irony of these people selling really well these days (yes, their "art"). So who can blame us for hoping to get a small spotlight too? But that's not what is happening.

But I don’t know why this whole exchange also made me weirdly happy. Maybe because for a few hours it felt like I was in a play; with Nara, Jeff Koons, and a scammer on the other end of the line.

And maybe because it made me make work. Five new pieces, out of nothing.