Takashi Murakami's Work is a Breath of Fresh Air
We can’t help but smile at this fabulous image of Japanese artist Takashi Murakami. (Image via Vancouver Sun - click here for link.)
We’ve been looking for fun and uplifting art to share during this unsettling time, so here is some of Japanese artist Takashi Murakami’s work to brighten your day. In the images below, meet the character “Mr. DOB.” (Could be a great influence for projects at home with the kids!)
Mr. DOB, 2016 (Image via Artsy.net/EHC Fine Art)
Takashi Murakami with sculptures. (Image via Artsy.net/EHC Fine Art)
727, 2016 (Image via Artsy.net/Kumi Contemporary/Verso Contemporary)
ABOUT MR. DOB: Mr. DOB is Takashi Murakami’s alter ego and first signature character, appearing in his works as early as 1993. With this smiling creature, Murakami hoped to create a Japanese icon with universal appeal, in the spirit of Hello Kitty and Pikachu. To do so, he drew inspiration from characters in Eastern and Western popular culture, including the adorable Japanese manga creature Doraemon and Walt Disney’s iconic Mickey Mouse. While the first Mr. DOB had a somewhat fierce appearance with sharp, menacing teeth, the character grew cuter and cuter over time, setting the stage for all of Murakami’s iconic “Superflat” motifs such as his smiling flowers and jellyfish eyes. (Information via Artsy.net/EHC Fine Art - click here for link.)
Virtual Tour - Takashi Murakami Exhibition, Tokyo 2015
Here’s a fun video that walks you through a fantastic exhibition of Murakami’s work.
Takashi Murakami at the Broad Museum, Los Angeles
(Image via Travel Magnolia - click here for link.)
(Image via Bloomberg.com - click here for link.)
(Image via Claire-DeeLim.com - click here for link.)
You may have seen the work above at the Broad Museum, but did you know that a new exhibition of Murakami’s work is coming to the Broad in fall 2020? Click here for more information. The Broad is currently closed in efforts to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, but it’s worth checking out their website to browse the collection from home.
About Takashi Murakami
One of the most acclaimed artists to emerge from postwar Asia, Takashi Murakami—“the Warhol of Japan”—is known for his contemporary Pop synthesis of fine art and popular culture, particularly his use of a boldly graphic and colorful anime and manga cartoon style. Murakami became famous in the 1990s for his “Superflat” theory and for organizing the paradigmatic exhibition of that title, which linked the origins of contemporary Japanese visual culture to historical Japanese art. His output includes paintings, sculptures, drawings, animations, and collaborations with brands such as Louis Vuitton. “Japanese people accept that art and commerce will be blended; and in fact, they are surprised by the rigid and pretentious Western hierarchy of “high art’,” Murakami says. “In the West, it certainly is dangerous to blend the two because people will throw all sorts of stones. But that’s okay—I’m ready with my hard hat.” (Information via Artsy.net - click here for link.)