Takashi Murakami

Takashi Murakami is a critically-acclaimed artist who has gained fame through his fusion of Japanese aesthetics, commercialism, cultural commentary and Fine Art. The Japanese-American sculptor, born in 1962, became a decorated academic at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, where he his bachelor’s and master’s degrees as well as a Ph.D. Murakami went on to apply his traditional Japanese painting with otaku — a Japanese term for the cultural infatuation with anime and manga.

Analyzing traditional art and anime, Murakami saw similarities in the flat composition of the two movements. He began to emphasize two-dimensional forms and striking imagery in his work, and eventually started the Superflat art movement. In an effort to help young artists gain exposure, he created Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd. to curate exhibits and sell merchandise on a global scale.

Murakami is famous in fashion and art circles, lining up numerous projects and collaborations with esteemed designers. He curated the Cartier Foundation for Contemporary Art in 2002, produced accessories with designer Marc Jacobs, and collaborated with the late fashion designer Virgil Abloh and musical artist Kanye West. Murakami’s work continues to evolve, shifting in mood and tone with the world around him.