Takashi Murakami Japanese, b. 1962

Takashi Murakami is a renowned Japanese contemporary artist. Born in 1962 in Tokyo, he earned a PhD in Nihonga (traditional Japanese painting) from the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music. Murakami is known for blurring the lines between high and low art forms. He became famous in the 1990s for his "Superflat" theory and practice, merging flat, graphic art from Japanese consumer culture and historical painting. Murakami's artistic practice is influenced by anime, manga, Japanese folk art, pop culture, and the Buddhist concept of "enlightenment." His vibrant works incorporate smiling flower motifs and cartoon characters combined with Japanese pop tradition. Some of his iconic series include the intricately patterned and brightly colored sculptural pieces of his "Mr. DOB" and "Miss Ko2" characters, as well as the confronting yet playful mushroom cloud sculptures of the "Tan Tan Bo" Pukin" series. Beyond his prolific studio practice, Murakami operates the art production company Kaikai Kiki Co. and the biannual art fair GEISAI. He has produced collaborative collections for brands like Louis Vuitton, Shu Uemura cosmetics, and Vans shoes. Major exhibitions include the traveling "© Murakami" retrospective and his curation of the Yokohama Triennial in 2008. His works are held in prestigious collections worldwide, cementing his status as a pioneer blending commercial and fine art realms.