Japanese contemporary artist Takashi Murakami may be famous among collectors for the psychedelic flowers and chaotic cartoons that populate his prints and paintings, but artists likely know him as the theorist behind the contemporary art movement he calls “Superflat.”
Partially inspired by the Pop art of Andy Warhol, in which celebrity culture and mundane mass-produced items became the focus of bright and colorful works that both celebrated and criticized consumerism, Murakami’s Superflat encompasses painting, sculpture, digital design and more to present a subversive look at consumerism but is also an effort to blend fine art and lowbrow culture.
A multifaceted and remarkably influential artist as well as a compulsive art collector, Murakami has collaborated with brands such as Louis Vuitton, while one of his most famous Superflat works is the teddy bear on the cover of the Graduation album by American rapper Kanye West.
In 1993 Murakami earned his Ph.D. from Tokyo University of the Arts, where he was trained in nihonga, a style of painting that originated in the late 19th century by artists who worked to preserve and promote the conventions and processes associated with traditional Japanese art. While practicing nihonga, Murakami began to realize that his beliefs didn’t align with the tradition, so his art subsequently took on a satirical feel that embodied a critique of the movement. Before long, his style took a drastic turn, embracing otaku, a rising postwar cultural phenomenon among Japan’s younger crowd who loved anime and manga. (Otaku is also integral to Superflat.)
This is when Murakami’s most well-known character, Mr. DOB, was born. This anime-inspired icon, which Americans might interpret as a cross between Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse and Lewis Carroll’s Cheshire Cat given its pronounced ears and broad and menacing grin, was part of the artist’s endeavor to elevate the otaku subculture but also to target mass consumerism. While Murakami conceived of Mr. DOB years ahead of his 2000-era Superflat theory, there is much common ground between the two. Not unlike his other creations, Murakami’s Mr. DOB is equal parts erotic, disturbing and cartoonish — an incisive mockery of the mingling of commerce and fine art so prevalent in Japanese popular culture.
Find original Takashi Murakami prints, sculptures and other art on 1stDibs.
Takashi Murakami Flowers Skateboard Decks: set of 3 works (Murakami skateboard)
By Takashi Murakami
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Takashi Murakami Flowers Skateboard Decks: set of 3 works: Vibrant Takashi Murakami wall art produced as a limited series in conjunction with the 2017 Murakami exhibit: The Octopus E...
Wood, Lithograph, Offset
Soccer Flower Ball with Vinyl Bag
By Takashi Murakami
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Soccer Flower Ball (2002) by Takashi Murakami Offset Lithograph on Soccer Ball with Vinyl Bag 9 inches (22.9 cm) Diameter Limited Edition of Unknown Size Signed with printed manufact...
Leather
Mr. DOB
By Takashi Murakami
Located in Washington , DC, DC
This sculpture by Takashi Murakami features his signature Mr. DOB character in a playful colorful and attention grabbing sculpture. It is a nice size, come with its original box.
Mixed Media
Takashi Murakami Flowers Skateboard Deck (Takashi Murakami skate deck)
By Takashi Murakami
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Takashi Murakami Flowers Skate Deck: A vibrant piece of Takashi Murakami wall art produced as a limited series in conjunction with the 2017 Murakami exhibit: The Octopus Eats Its Own...
Wood, Lithograph, Offset
Mr. Dob
By Takashi Murakami
Located in London, GB
Mr. Dob, 2016 Edition of 750 Signature Stamped by artist's estate, Stamped by BAIT X Switch Series Mr. Dob Manufacturer ComplexCon Bait. Takashi Murakami’s Mr DOB sculpture toy is a...
Acrylic, Vinyl
$2,250Sale Price|25% Off
Mr. DOB (limited edition sculpture)
By Takashi Murakami
Located in Aventura, FL
Cast vinyl sculpture painted in colors. Size: 9.25 x 10.8 x 7.8 inches. Limited edition of 750. Published by BAIT × SWITCH Collectibles and ComplexCon, California with their stamp...
Paper, Lithograph, Offset
Takashi Murakami Flowers skateboard deck (Takashi Murakami flowers)
By Takashi Murakami
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Takashi Murakami Flowers Skate Deck: A vibrant piece of Takashi Murakami wall art produced as a completely sold out, limited series in 2019 in conjunction with Complexcon and Kaikai ...
Wood, Mixed Media, Lithograph, Offset
Takashi Murakami Flowers Skateboard Decks: set of 3 works (Murakami skateboard)
By Takashi Murakami
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Takashi Murakami Flowers Skateboard Decks: set of 3 works: Vibrant Takashi Murakami wall art produced as a limited series in conjunction with the 2017 Murakami exhibit: The Octopus E...
Wood, Lithograph, Offset
Takashi Murakami Flowers Skateboard Decks: set of 3 works (Murakami skateboard)
By Takashi Murakami
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Takashi Murakami Flowers Skateboard Decks: set of 3 works: Vibrant Takashi Murakami wall art produced as a limited series in conjunction with the 2017 Murakami exhibit: The Octopus E...
Wood, Lithograph, Offset
Mr.DOB Figure by BAIT × SWITCH Collectibles Gold Edition
By Takashi Murakami
Located in PARIS, FR
Takashi Murakami × ComplexCon Mr.DOB Figure by BAIT × SWITCH Collectibles (Gold Edition), 2016-2017. Painted cast vinyl, cast resin polychrome sculpture 10 4/5 × 9 3/10 in 27.4 × 2...
Vinyl, Resin
$2,980
Takashi Murakami, Gargantua on Your Palm - Limited Edition Plate, Pop Art
By Takashi Murakami
Located in Hamburg, DE
Takashi Murakami (Japanese, b. 1962) Gargantua on Your Palm, 2022 Medium: Porcelain plate (fine bone china) Dimensions: 10 1/2 in diameter 26.7 cm diameter Edition of 250: Printed s...
Porcelain
Takashi Murakami Flowers skateboard deck (Takashi Murakami skate deck)
By Takashi Murakami
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Takashi Murakami Flowers & Skulls Skateboard Deck (Black and White): A vibrant piece of Takashi Murakami wall art produced as a limited series in 2018 in conjunction with Complex...
Wood, Offset
Takashi Murakami Flowers Skateboard Decks: set of 2 works (Murakami skateboard)
By Takashi Murakami
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Takashi Murakami Flowers Skateboard Decks: set of 2 works: A vibrant, highly decorative Takashi Murakami skateboard set produced as a limited series in conjunction with the 2017 Mura...
Wood, Offset
Takashi Murakami Flowers Skateboard Decks: set of 2 works (Murakami skateboard)
By Takashi Murakami
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Takashi Murakami Flowers Skateboard Decks: set of 2 works: Vibrant Takashi Murakami wall art produced as a limited series in conjunction with the 2017 Murakami exhibit: The Octopus E...
Wood, Lithograph, Offset
$3,000Sale Price|25% Off
Mr. DOB (Gold), limited edition sculpture
By Takashi Murakami
Located in Aventura, FL
Cast vinyl sculpture painted in colors. Size: 9.25 x 10.8 x 7.8 inches. Limited edition of 250. Published by BAIT × SWITCH Collectibles and ComplexCon, California with their stamp...
Paper, Lithograph, Offset
Panda Plush Large
By Takashi Murakami
Located in Washington , DC, DC
Panda Plush Large
Cotton
$1,800
Takashi Murakami Jellyfish Eyes art toy (Takashi Murakami Luxor and Kurage-bo)
By Takashi Murakami
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Takashi Murakami Luxor and Kurage-bo (from Jellyfish Eyes) 2014: Rare limited edition Takashi Murakami art toy. This work was produced by Murakami in 2014 and features the playful, highly decorative Luxor and Kurage-bo characters from Jellyfish Eyes (a 2013 fantasy film directed by Takashi Murakami). Medium: 3D plaster...
Plaster
Superflat Museum Set of 10
By Takashi Murakami
Located in Washington , DC, DC
This Superflat Museum LA Edition Set of 10 were released in 2004 and features Takashi Murakami's most well known characters. A similar set has sold at auctio...
Plastic
Mr. DOB Complexcon set of 2
By Takashi Murakami
Located in Washington , DC, DC
Set of Takashi Murakami Mr. DOB Complexcon set of 2. The Gold one is from an edition of only 250 and the Red is from an edition of 750
PVC, Paint
Takashi Murakami Skateboard Deck (Takashi Murakami flowers)
By Takashi Murakami
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Takashi Murakami Flowers Skateboard Deck: A vibrant piece of Takashi Murakami wall art produced as a limited series in conjunction with the 2017 Murakami exhibit: The Octopus Eats It...
Wood, Screen
Price Upon Request
Takashi Murakami Flowers skateboard deck (Takashi Murakami skate deck)
By Takashi Murakami
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Takashi Murakami Flowers Skateboard Deck 2015: A vibrant, unique piece of Takashi Murakami flowers wall-art - this highly collectible limited edition Murakami skate...
Wood, Offset
Price Upon Request
Takashi Murakami Flowers skateboard deck (Takashi Murakami skate deck)
By Takashi Murakami
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Takashi Murakami Flowers & Skulls Skateboard Deck (Black and White): A vibrant piece of Takashi Murakami wall art produced as a limited series in 2018 in conjunction with Complexcon ...
Offset, Wood
$3,950
H 24 in W 12 in D 8 in
"Juicy Juice" Pop Art Sculpture 24" x 12" x 8" inch Edition 1/1 by Kii Arens
By Kii Arens
Located in Culver City, CA
"Juicy Juice" Pop Art Sculpture 24" x 12" x 8" inch Edition 1/1 by Kii Arens ABOUT One of the most credible and influential in Los Angeles - the award winni...
Plexiglass, Mixed Media
Fortress America
By Kat Flyn
Located in New Orleans, LA
assemblage sculpture: vintage wood fort with hand-painted graffiti, a vintage handmade wood carving of Uncle Sam & Trump, confederate flag scrap blindfold, metal chains, 4 vintage fl...
Mixed Media
$395
H 11 in W 5 in
Warhol Basquiat Be@rbrick 400% figure (Basquiat Warhol Bearbrick)
By Jean-Michel Basquiat
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Andy Warhol Jean-Michel Basquiat Bearbrick Vinyl Figures: (400% & 100%): A unique, timeless collectible trademarked & licensed by the Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat & And...
Resin, Vinyl
ARCANIS - 40cm H Tribute Sailing Boat
Located in PARIS, FR
About the artwork: On the surface, Arcanis draws his inspiration from large racing sailboats bearing many prestigious brands. But in essence, the boat and money are associated with ...
Metal
Red Wall Poppy, Aug 13, 2020
By Donald Sultan
Located in Calabasas, CA
Artist: Donald Sultan Title: Red Wall Poppy, Aug 13, 2020 Year: 2020 Medium: Shaped aluminum with powder coat and flocked center Edition: 30; signature, title, date, and edition numb...
Mixed Media
KAWS SEPARATED Companion (KAWS black Separated Companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS SEPARATED COMPANION: New & unopened in its original packaging: This highly collectible black KAWS SEPARATED figure is derived from the Brooklyn based artist’s larger scale s...
Resin, Vinyl
$24,141Sale Price|22% Off
H 22.84 in W 13 in D 10.24 in
Modern Pop Art Dita Mel Ramos Stainless Steel Nude Sculpture
By Mel Ramos
Located in Zug, CH
MEL RAMOS (1935-2018) Dita 2017 Cast and polished stainless steel 58 x 33 x 26 cm 22.83 x 12.99 x 10.24 inches Number 29 of 60, Edition of 60 + 6 A.P. Cast signature and number on b...
Stainless Steel
$6,950
H 56 in W 18 in D 18 in
"Pulse of the Earth" Abstract Sculpture 56" x 18" x 18" in by Shawn Kolodny
By Shawn Kolodny
Located in Culver City, CA
"Pulse of the Earth" Abstract Sculpture 56" x 18" x 18" in by Shawn Kolodny Medium: Steel & Automotive Paint Shawn Kolodny is a Miami-based artist renowned for his immersive, l...
Steel
$724Sale Price|20% Off
H 7.09 in W 7.09 in D 5.12 in
"Sweetness" – Contemporary Pop Sculpture in Foam Clay and Enamel on Wood, 2022
By Vera Vizzi
Located in FISTERRA, ES
SWEETNESS is a contemporary pop sculpture by Vera Vizzi combining foam clay, enamel, acrylic markers and fir wood into a compact, whimsical composition. Measuring 18 × 18 × 13 cm, th...
Enamel
$572
H 5.12 in W 4.73 in D 3.55 in
Pop Surrealist Folded Wall Sculpture White Self Hardening Paste Painted Interior
By Vera Vizzi
Located in FISTERRA, ES
Wall sculpture in self-hardening paste with a painted interior revealing narrative florals and folkloric motifs. ENJOINT is a folded wall object that functions as both vessel and st...
Clay, Acrylic
$725
H 11 in W 5 in
Warhol Basquiat Bearbrick 400% figures set of 2 (Warhol Basquiat Be@rbrick)
By Jean-Michel Basquiat
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Basquiat Andy Warhol Bearbrick 400% figures: Set of two works: Unique, timeless collectibles trademarked & licensed by the Estates of Jean-Michel Basquiat & Andy Warhol. The ...
Resin, Vinyl
$65,000
H 70 in W 23.5 in D 21.5 in
Charles Lutz, OLYMPUS LV Stack 4 Part Warhol Louis Vuitton Box Sculpture
By Charles Lutz
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Charles Lutz Olympus, Set of 4 Louis Vuitton Stacked Boxes Wood, canvas, leather, and brass Dimensions (stacked): 25.5 x 21.5 x 69.75 inches Unique Co...
Brass
Sold
H 31 in W 8 in
Takashi Murakami Flowers Skateboard Deck (Murakami skateboard)
By Takashi Murakami
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Takashi Murakami Flowers Skateboard Deck: A vibrant piece of Takashi Murakami wall art produced as a limited series in conjunction with the 2017 Murakami exhibit: The Octopus Eats It...
Wood, Offset
Takashi Murakami Skateboard Decks (set of 3 works)
By Takashi Murakami
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Takashi Murakami DOB Skateboard Deck Triptych 2018: A highly decorative Takashi Murakami skateboard set/triptych that makes for vibrant one of a kind wall-art that hangs with ease. T...
Wood, Lithograph, Offset
Takashi Murakami Skateboard Decks (set of 3 works)
By Takashi Murakami
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Takashi Murakami DOB Skateboard Deck Triptych 2018: A highly decorative Takashi Murakami skateboard set/triptych that makes for vibrant one of a kind wall-art that hangs with ease. T...
Wood, Lithograph, Offset
‘Melting DOB (Ice Blue)’ Sculpture, 2022
By Takashi Murakami
Located in New York, NY
‘Melting DOB (Ice Blue)’ is a blue, white and multicolor figure, with painted Artist’s name on verso and underside. Arton Contemporary is a gallery located...
Plastic, Vinyl
Sold
H 31 in W 8 in
Takashi Murakami skateboard deck (Takashi Murakami skulls skate deck)
By Takashi Murakami
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Takashi Murakami Skulls Skateboard Deck 2015: A vibrant, unique piece of Takashi Murakami skulls wall-art - this highly collectible limited edition Mu...
Wood, Lithograph, Offset
Sold
H 31 in W 8 in
Takashi Murakami skateboard deck (Takashi Murakami skulls skate deck)
By Takashi Murakami
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Takashi Murakami Skulls Skateboard Deck 2015: A vibrant, unique piece of Takashi Murakami skulls wall-art - this highly collectible limited ed...
Wood, Lithograph, Offset
Gargantua on Your Palm
By Takashi Murakami
Located in Boston, MA
Artist: Murakami, Takashi Title: Gargantua on Your Palm Date: 2018 Medium: Fine Bone China Signature: Stamped on the reverse Produced by Coalition for the Homeless Edition: 250...
Porcelain
Sold
H 31 in W 8 in D 1 in
Takashi Murakami Flowers skateboard deck (Takashi Murakami flowers)
By Takashi Murakami
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Takashi Murakami Flowers Skateboard Deck: A vibrant piece of Takashi Murakami wall art produced as a completely sold out, limited series in 2019 in conjunction with Complexcon and Ka...
Wood, Mixed Media, Lithograph, Offset
Sold
H 31 in W 8 in
Takashi Murakami skateboard deck (Takashi Murakami skulls skate deck)
By Takashi Murakami
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Takashi Murakami Skulls Skateboard Deck 2015: A vibrant, unique piece of Takashi Murakami skulls wall-art - this highly collectible limited edition Mu...
Wood, Offset, Lithograph
Sold
H 9 in W 7 in
Takashi Murakami DOB Figures: set of 4 works (Takashi Murakami Mr. Dob)
By Takashi Murakami
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Takashi Murakami DOB-kun Figure (Takashi Murakami Mr. Dob) set of 4 works: Limited edition Takashi Murakami Mr. DOB art toys featuring the artist's iconic DOB character. DOB-kun’s name, defined in his rounded ears and face, is the first three letters of an improvised phrase that is a nonsensical combination of “dobojide dobojide (why, why?)” from the Japanese manga...
Vinyl
Sold
H 9 in W 5 in
Takashi Murakami KAIKAI & KIKI (Takashi Murakami Blue Eyes art toys: set of 2)
By Takashi Murakami
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Takashi Murakami Kaikai & Kiki (Blue Eyes) 2019: A limited edition Takashi Murakami art toy set featuring the artist's iconic Kaikai-Chan & Kiki-Chan characters with blue eyes. Sealed in original packaging. Never displayed. Medium: Painted cast vinyl figures. Set of 2 individual works. Year: 2019. Dimensions: Kaikai: 9⅛ x 5⅛ inches (23 x 13 cm). Kiki: 8¼ x 6½ inches ( 21 by 16.5 by 10 cm). Condition: accompanied by its original packaging. All elements excellent overall condition; figures have never been opened or displayed. Each incised with the artist's and publisher's copyright stamp on the underside. Murakami printed signature on the front of each respective box. Published by Murakami's Kaikai Kiki, Ltd., Tokyo from limited edition of unknown. Holograms present as pictured on outer packaging. _ Takashi Murakami is a Japanese artist known for blurring the boundary between fine and commercial art. Often categorized alongside historic and contemporary artists working in the tradition of Pop Art, such as Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst, and Jeff Koons, Murakami's work has achieved a widespread level of fame beyond the art world. His innovative “Superflat” aesthetic—combining classical Japanese art with contemporary Japanese pop culture—has led many to consider him one of the most innovative artists working today. Exploring the links between traditional printmaking techniques and Japanese manga in postwar society, Murakami’s art acts as a cultural barometer with subversive undertones and imagery. “My aesthetic sense was formed at a young age by what surrounded me: the narrow residential spaces of Japan and the mental escapes from those spaces that took the forms of manga and anime,” he reflected. Born on February 1, 1962 in Tokyo, Japan, where he continues to live and work, Murakami has embraced commerce through the founding of Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd., an artist management agency and studio based in both New York and Munich. With his popular collaboration with the fashion label Louis Vuitton, Murakami has established himself as a pioneer of promoting art as a brand. In 2007, Murakami provided the cover artwork for rapper Kanye West's album Graduation. The artist’s work has been the subject of numerous exhibitions around the world, include those held at the Mori Art Museum in Tokyo, Gagosian Gallery in London, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, and the Versailles Palace. Related Categories Pop Art. Street Art. Damien Hirst. KAWS. Banksy. Japanese artists. Art toys. Disney. Mickey Mouse. Murakami DOB. Takashi Murakami Kaikai Kiki. Takashi Murakami blue eyes. Takashi Murakami Kaikai-chan. Murakami Kiki...
Vinyl
Takashi Murakami DOB figure (Takashi Murakami art toy)
By Takashi Murakami
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Takashi Murakami DOB-kun Figure: A limited edition Takashi Murakami art toy featuring the artist's iconic DOB character. DOB-kun’s name, defined i...
Vinyl