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.
Louis Vuitton 2003 LV Ceinture T70 Murakami White Canvas Monogram Belt S 28in
By Louis Vuitton, Takashi Murakami
Located in PARIS, FR
Louis Vuitton belt by Murakami circa 2003 in white Monogram coated canvas with multicolored LV "icons" pattern, closure with a gold metal pin buckle. Size 70 or S or 28in: total leng...
Louis Vuitton x Murakami Monogram Logo Print Slip On Kitten Heel Mules 36.5
By Takashi Murakami, Louis Vuitton
Located in Mechanicsville, VA
Louis Vuitton x Murakami Monogram Logo Print Slip On Kitten Heel Mules 36.5 Color Multi Size 36.5EU Heel Height 1.75in Leather upper Leather sole LV monogram multicolored print Lo...
Louis Vuitton Takashi Murakami Pink Monogram Cherry Blossom Silk Scrunchie
By Takashi Murakami, Louis Vuitton
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Louis Vuitton Takashi Murakami Monogram Cherry Blossom Silk Scrunchie is a luxurious and playful accessory that beautifully combines high fashion with artistic expression. Crafted fr...
Louis Vuitton Takashi Murakami Brown Monogram Cherry Blossom Silk Scrunchie
By Takashi Murakami, Louis Vuitton
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Louis Vuitton Takashi Murakami Monogram Cherry Blossom Silk Scrunchie is a luxurious and playful accessory that beautifully combines high fashion with artistic expression. Crafted fr...
Gucci Square Silk Gold and Brown Chain Print Scarf
By Gucci
Located in London, GB
Gucci square silk scarf, featuring a simple chain print with a gold border. The scarf has rolled hems. Measuring approximately 66cm / 26 inches square. The scarf is in new condition, with its original box. This is a Gucci beauty...
Escada Silk Scarf Tiger Face Made in Italy New, Never Worn with Tag
By Escada
Located in Wallkill, NY
This is from a Vast Collection of Scarves that have never been worn. Wonderful Tiger Face and motif make up this Silk Escada Scarf. Purchased in the late 1980s early 1990s stored aw...
Silk Escada Scarf Over Sized, Never Worn 1990s
By Escada
Located in Wallkill, NY
Silk Escada Scarf Purchased early 1990s at Neiman Marcus. Stored away till now, never worn Oversized 55" x 53". This is out of a massive collection of Con...
Christian Louboutin Size 39/9 2000s Leopard Print Slingback Vintage Heels Shoes
By Christian Louboutin
Located in San Diego, CA
Amazing Christian Louboutin early 2000s Y2K leopard / cheetah print slingback heels ! Bronze heel with signature red bottoms. Pair with jeans, shorts, a skirt or a dress. In good con...
Herme Scarf Silk 90 CM CA DECOIFFE HG/BLANC/GRIS/ORANGE NEW
Located in New York, NY
Hermes Scarf 90 CM Description on tags : CA DECOIFFE HG/BLANC/GRIS/ORANGE NEW with tags and box.Please note:colors in person might look slightly different due to camera flashlight ...
$941
W 35.44 in L 35.44 in
Exceptional Hermès Vintage Silk Scarf Flora Marqueterie Francoise Heron 1960
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Rare opportunity to get this lovely authentic Hermès Scarf Print: "FLORA MARQUETERIE" Pattern: flowers and butterflies Designed by Françoise Héron in 1960 Made of 100% Silk Col...
1990's DRIES VAN NOTEN black leather corset belt
By Dries van Noten
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Very rare, black leather belt with lace up corset detailing designed by Dries Van Noten dating to the late 1990's. Size 70. Belt measures approximately: just under 5.5" at widest and...
Brand New Casadei Pink Leather Woven Mules Heels Size 9.5
By Casadei
Located in Conroe, TX
Casadei Brand New With Box Size 9.5 Please Note: We feel these run a half size small. Multi-Colored Pink Leather Fabric & Leather Print Footbed Wood Detailed Heel Leather Sol...
Judith Leiber Gilt Metal Dangling Charm Heavy Chain Belt c 1980s
By Judith Leiber
Located in University City, MO
Judith Leiber stylish gilt metal dangling charm heavy chain belt c 1980s The elegant belt is adorned with 10 dangling charms designed with a man's head, horse heads & orb fobs The d...
$250
Size: vintage size 6.5 AA
I Miller Ivory, Pink and Green Peony Vamp Slingback Stiletto Sandals-6.5A, 1950s
Located in Tucson, AZ
As if to prove mid-century gals were unafraid of color, these sculpted stilettos mitigate their neutral bone ground with a fully-articulated leather peony in shades of pink and green on each vamp. Moreover, they hail from legendary Phoenix department store "Hanny's," now an über-cool cocktail bar that kept the old dressing rooms and display windows. Stiletto heel slingback sandal of bone leather; adjustable buckle strap continues around ankle and attaches to vamp embellished with a handmade leather peony. (Stunning details include five individually hand-stitched petals raised off the surface of the shoe, hand-cut leaves and stitched "veins".) Leather insole, covered last and covered heel. Metal tap attached to sole of shoe at toe. fabric: leather noteworthy: wipe clean with damp rag and soften with leather conditioner repairs: none condition: very good in vintage shoe box...
1980's Yves Saint Laurent/YSL Black and White Brogue Style Kitten Heels
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Very chic Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche kitten heels from the 1980's. White leather with contrasting black leather brogue details and heels. Elongated pointy toe and 1.5" heel. Good...
Crystal Jewel Encrusted Pair of Large Monkey's Stretch Belt c 1980s
Located in University City, MO
Opulent crystal encrusted monkey belt buckle in the "style" of Judith Leiber c 1980s The charming pair of large scale monkeys are encrusted with rows of glittering diamante' crystal...
Vintage Louis Vuitton Takashi Murakami LV Monogram Kitten Heel Mules 39
By Louis Vuitton, Takashi Murakami
Located in Mechanicsville, VA
Louis Vuitton Retro Vintage Monogram Takashi Murakami LV Print Mules Circa 2003 MA0034 Color Multi Size 39EU Leather upper Leather sole LV monogram in multicolor print Low square he...
Louis Vuitton Heels
By Louis Vuitton, Takashi Murakami
Located in Sheffield, GB
S/S 2003 Louis Vuitton Takashi Murakami Rainbow monogram colourful Sandal kitten heels Features; Iconic Collaboration Leather with Gold met...