NEW YORK (Kyodo) Yoshitomo Nara, a contemporary pop artist arrested in February for defacing a New York subway station, has been given a clean slate, the New York Post said in its online edition Thursday.
Nara, 49, known for his sculptures and paintings of doe-eyed figures, was arrested early Feb. 27 and temporarily jailed. He was then charged with drawing graffiti and criminal mischief.
The New York Post said the charges against Nara were dropped Wednesday on one condition — that he keep his nose clean for six months.
Nara, who lives and works in Tochigi Prefecture, was in New York for a solo exhibition of his work at the Marianne Boesky Gallery.
Nara emerged on the art scene during Japan's pop art movement in the 1990s and has held solo exhibitions worldwide.
His works are on display at New York's Museum of Modern Art.