Takashi Murakami

Japanese contemporary artist Takashi Murakami is a master of mediums, working with painting, sculpture, fashion, film, and even animation. His influence on Japan equals that of Andy Warhol on America. However, the art of Takashi Murakami unites Japanese and Western elements to create unique, fantastical worlds that are cute and scary.

When Takashi Murakami invented the term Superflat in 2001, he launched one of postmodern art's most exciting and refreshing art movements. The artist is influenced by the Post World War II manga and anime craze. Superflat references both the two-dimensional quality of traditional Japanese painting and the shallow qualities of consumer culture.

As a result, common motifs and subjects flood the oeuvre of Takashi Murakami, like flowers, skulls, bests, and bears. You can see them across paintings, wallpaper, pillows, Louis Vuitton bags, and NFTs! As a pioneer in the field of NFTs, Murakami continues to be curious about all the possibilities in art.

Takashi Murakami. Pink River
Date: 2015
Technique: Acrylic on canvas
Dimensions: 220 x 540 cm
Collection: Private Collection
Photo: Courtesy Takashi Murakami/Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd.