Takashi MURAKAMI

BIOGRAPHY

 

Murakami (1962) grew up in Tokyo, Japan. From a young age, he had a keen interest in Animation and Manga (Japanese comics). In pursuit of his childhood dream to be an animator, Murakami enrolled in the Tokyo University of Art but instead ended up acquiring a PHD from Nihonga, a traditional school of Japanese painting focusing on traditional Japanese artistic conventions, subjects and techniques.

In 1994, he moved to New York where he became highly inspired by the art of western contemporary artists, especially Anselm Kiefer and Jeff Koons. In 1996, he set up Hiropan Factory, which subsequently become KaiKai KiKi Co Ltd (representing young artists and organizing the biannual art fair Geisei).

In 2010, he became the 3rd contemporary artist and 1st Japanese artist to exhibit at Versailles in France.

TECHNIQUE

 

His art is instantly recognizable: anime-inspired playful characters and bright colors as flat 2D imagery, which have defined Japanese art historically hitherto today, through manga and anime.

He is known for blurring the line between high and low arts and for inventing the term “superflat”, which describes the visual characteristics of the Japanese artistic tradition and post-war Japanese culture and society. Based on this perspective, he imbued his art with elements perceived as commercial and popular culture, into ‘high art’ exhibited in prestigious museums globally. Then, he reintroduced this ‘high art’ into pop culture as trendy, coveted fashion merchandise and novelty items sold in many commercial retail spaces.

ARTWORKS
Takashi MURAKAMI

Kaikai Kiki & Me: On The Blue Mound of The Dead, 2013

Offset print 4c process with cold stamp

50 x 50 cm
19.7 x 19.7 in

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David, 2009

Aluminium and Leather

40 x - cm
15.7 x in

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Project Ko2 1/5 Model, Limited 'Irukuji Model', 1998

Moulded resin with colouring

51 x - cm

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Comprehending the 51st Dimension

Offset print and cold stamp

71,1 x 71,1 cm
28 x 28 in

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There is Nothing Eternal in this World. That is Why You are Beautiful

Offset print and cold stamp

71,1 x 71,1 cm
28 x 28 in

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And then and then and then and then and then (Aqua Blue)

Offset print and cold stamp

68 x 68 cm
26.8 x 26.8 in

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And then and then and then and then and then (Yellow)

Offset print and cold stamp

68 x 68 cm
26.8 x 26.8 in

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Field of Smiling Flowers, 2010

Offset print, cold stamp and high gloss varnishing

68 x 68 cm
26.8 x 26.8 in

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An Homage to Yves Klein Multicolor D

Offset print, cold stamp and high gloss varnishing

73,7 x 52,8 cm
29 x 20.8 in

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An Homage to Monopink 1960 D

Offset print, cold stamp and high gloss varnishing

73,7 x 52,8 cm
29 x 20.8 in

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