Takashi Murakami is a international contemporary artist. His colorful paintings and sculptures are what get him known all over the world. He was born February 1st, 1962 in Tokyo Japan.
Growing up, Murakami loved animation and manga. He attended Tokyo University of Arts to be an animator. He later turned his attention to major in Nihonga, the traditional style of japanese paintingt that incorporates traditional Japanese artistic conventions, techniques and subjects.
Murakami was never satisfied with the ordinary Japanese art.
In 2002, Murakami began his collaboration with Louis Vuitton. He began by contributing artwork which was used in the design of a series of handbags. The series re-envisioned the fashion house’s signature monogram and was a huge commercial success.
Murakami’s art shows a wide range of mediums and is generally described as superflat. His work has been noted for its use of color, Japanese traditional and popular culture, flat/glossy surfaces, and content that could be described at once as “cute,” or “psychedelic” Among his most famous recurring images are smiling flowers, iconic characters, mushrooms, skulls, Buddhist conography, and the sexual complexes of otaku culture.
