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 Signed Limited Edition Superflat Japanese Print DOB Myxomycete
By Takashi Murakami
Located in Studio City, CA
A fantastic and quite engaging Primordial Life offset lithograph print by renowned contemporary Japanese artist Takashi Murakami the founder of the Superflat aesthetic art movement w...
Paper
Takashi Murakami Kōrin: Stellar River in the Heavens
By Takashi Murakami
Located in Miami, US
Takashi Murakami "Kōrin: Stellar River in the Heavens" Offset Print Add a touch of vibrant brilliance to your art collection with "Kōrin: Stellar River in the Heavens", an offset pr...
Paper
Takashi Murakami: The Meaning of the Nonsense of the Meaning (Signed)
By Takashi Murakami
Located in New York, NY
Catalog accompanying an exhibition of the works of Japanese artist Takashi Murakami, held at the Center for Curatorial Studies Museum, Bard College, from June 27-September 12, 1999. ...
Paper
Takashi Murakami Kansei: Wildflowers Glowing in the Night
By Takashi Murakami
Located in Miami, US
Takashi Murakami "Kansei: Wildflowers Glowing in the Night" Offset Print Add a touch of vibrant brilliance to your art collection with "Kansei: Wildflowers Glowing in the Night", an...
Paper
Takashi Murakami Flower Drawing in Private Invitation Opening in Gagosian, Signed
By Takashi Murakami
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This drawing it was one of the very few made by the artist at the Gagosian gallery in Beverly Hills ,Los Angeles. It was a private event and was done in the original flyer /invitatio...
Paper
Takashi Murakami Kōrin: Azure River
By Takashi Murakami
Located in Miami, US
Takashi Murakami "Kōrin: Azure River" Offset Print Add a touch of vibrant brilliance to your art collection with "Kōrin: Azure River", an offset print by the acclaimed Japanese arti...
Paper
![Japanese Art Shiro Kasamatsu Woodblock print [Snow at Hongo Akamon]](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/japanese-art-shiro-kasamatsu-woodblock-print-snow-at-hongo-akamon-for-sale/f_102642/f_457099721751529407302/f_45709972_1751529407730_bg_processed.jpg?width=240)
![Japanese Art Shiro Kasamatsu Woodblock print [Snow at Hongo Akamon]](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/japanese-art-shiro-kasamatsu-woodblock-print-snow-at-hongo-akamon-for-sale-picture-2/f_102642/f_457099721751529425773/IMG_8823_master.JPG?width=240)
$800
H 15.36 in W 20.87 in D 0.4 in
Japanese Art Shiro Kasamatsu Woodblock print [Snow at Hongo Akamon]
Located in Niiza, JP
Print size: 360 x 235 mm Sheet size: 400 x 260 mm Frame size: 530 x 390 mm 1650 g Packing estimate size: 630 x 440 x 60 mm 3 kg This woodblock print is by Kasamatsu Shiro...
Paper
K. Trumpf, Limited Edition Signed Print Titled Levade
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Print With Lippezaner Horses And Riders In Vienna Titled "Levade" lower left. Pencil signed lower right, numbered 175/299 lower left. Finely framed in gilt wood. sight 17 x 22 3/4", ...
Paper, Glass, Wood
Exceptional Le Pho Lithograph on Vellum Paper
By Lê Phổ
Located in Jersey City, NJ
Le Pho was a Vietnamese painter (1907-20010 who is now internationally known. He painted scenery of Vietnam, still life with flowers, family setting...
Paper, Wood
$2,495
H 21.25 in W 31.5 in D 1 in
Clifton Karhu Signed Limited Edition Japanese Woodblock Print "Kamigano"
By Clifton Karhu
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful, large woodblock print by American master printmaker Clifton Karhu who lived in Japan for over 50 years. Karhu's work gained great e...
Paper
$695
H 21.25 in W 16.25 in D 0.5 in
Kaoru Kawano Signed Lifetime Edition Japanese Woodblock Print The Big Owl
By Kaoru Kawano
Located in Studio City, CA
An engaging and quite coveted work by famed Japanese artist Kaoru Kawano who was known for his whimsical portrayals of women, children, and animals. Stylistically, he was one of the first Japanese artists to combine Western-style elements with the traditional methods of woodblock printmaking. This work is known as "The Big Owl" Kawano's owl images are some of his most popular works, this one in particular. This print is hand signed in pencil and sealed (in red) by Kawano within the image. This work is a quite rare self-printed lifetime print. Prints made and signed by Kawano are becoming harder to find. A very beautiful and rich image. Would make for a great addition to any Japanese art and print collection or eye-catching stand-out accent work in about any setting. Frame dimensions: 21.25" high, 16.25" wide, .5" deep Viewable art: 14.5" x 9.5". Please note that the work is framed but there is no glass covering...
Paper
$900Sale Price|60% Off
H 16 in W 20 in D 1 in
Ito Takashi Landscape Woodblock Print, "Mt. Fuji from Susono", Signed
Located in New York, NY
Ito Takashi Landscape Woodblock: Mt. Fuji from Susono. Beautiful Japanese woodblock with good colors; under glass with 1960s era matting and framing. The b...
Paper
$675
H 21 in W 25.5 in D 0.39 in
Frank Romero "Cheech's Downtown" Giclee Print Limited Edition Signed (9/190)
By Frank Romero
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Limited Giclee print by L. A. Chicano Artist Frank Romero. This print is numbered and signed by the artist from a limited edition of 190. Size: 26.25" x 21". This cityscape entitled ...
Paper
Antique icon depicting the Mother of God of the Sign, ca. 1800
Located in Gorssel, GE
Meditative Central Russian icon depicting the Mother of God of the Sign, also titled the Znamenje of Novogrod. Typical for this centuries old iconography is that the Mother of God is...
Wood
$295
H 16 in W 10.5 in D 0.1 in
Kitagawa Utamaro Japanese Woodblock Print Wakaume of the Tamaya Edo-cho itchome
By Kitagawa Utamaro 1
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautifully composed and subtly colored Japanese woodblock print featuring a high-ranking noblewoman and her young attendant. The work is by Kitagawa Utamaro and is titled "Wakaum...
Paper
Byzantine Icon "Our Lady of the Sign", 1980s
Located in Palermo, IT
Byzantine icon "Our Lady of the Sign", 1980s Intact and in good condition. Width 29 cm, height 35 cm, depth 3 cm. Our Lady of the Sign (or Znamenie, Blachernitissa) is an ancient By...
Metal
Marti Somers — "6 Limes Juggling" Signed Limited Edition Print (103/195)
Located in San Carlos, CA
Add a touch of whimsical sophistication to your collection with this enchanting limited-edition print by acclaimed contemporary artist Marti Somers. Titled 6 Limes Juggling, the piec...
Paper
$1,245
H 17 in W 36.5 in D 1 in
Tadashi Nakayama Signed Limited Edition Japanese Woodblock Print Herd of Horses
By Tadashi Nakayama
Located in Studio City, CA
This wonderfully designed, abstract work by esteemed Japanese printmaker Tadashi Nakayama. The print is pencil signed, numbered (46/65) and dated 1963 by the artist. A fairly uncommo...
Paper
Takashi Murakami publication art (Takashi Murakami Hypebeast)
By Takashi Murakami
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Takashi Murakami illustrated cover art: Hypebeast magazine, circa 2021 Hypebeast 25 the Mania edition): A set of 2 two limited edition slip case covers & magazines featuring printed...
Paper
Takashi Murakami Cover Art, 2005
By Takashi Murakami
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Takashi Murakami cover art 2005: Rare Spring 2005 New York Times Magazine chronicling Takashi Murakami's rise to international fame & influence on Japanese ...
Paper
Takashi Murakami "Lotus Flower Pink"
By Takashi Murakami
Located in Stamford, CT
An offset lithograph by Takashi Murakami, titled "Lotus Flower Pink". Signed and numbered 214/300, circa 2010.
Paper
Sold
H 15 in W 15 in D 4 in
Takashi Murakami Louis Vuitton Cherry Monogram Sac Plat Tote & Keepall Bags 2005
By Marc Jacobs, Takashi Murakami, Louis Vuitton
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Takashi Murakami Louis Vuitton cherry monogram Sac Plat Tote & Keepall bags 2005. Extremely rare and highly collectible. Early aughts c...
Leather, Canvas
Takashi Murakami Pop Flower Ball Plush 2008 Ltd Edition Collector's Art Basel
By Takashi Murakami
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a phenomenally whimsical, plush, polyester flowerball, by Takashi Murakami, certified and numbered 95/300, circa 2008. In mint condition. The dimensions are 11" Dia. As featured at Art Basel...
Takashi Murakami Skateboard
By Takashi Murakami
Located in NYC, NY
Transfer-printed skateboard deck in original cellophane wrapper. "Multicolored Skulls," 2015. For Vault by Vans x Takashi Murakami. Publisher: Takashi Murakami/Kaikai Kiki, Co., L...
Bentwood
Takashi Murakami Offset Lithograph, "And Then...Yellow Jelly"
By Takashi Murakami
Located in New York, NY
This lithograph is by the artist Takashi Murakami, whose work playfully brings to light the connections between manga and anime and traditional Japanese art, such as the well-publish...
Paper
Takashi Murakami, Jellyfish Eyes-White, Lithograph, Signed
By Takashi Murakami
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a very well-known work by the well-known artist T Murakami., signed work. Title. Jellyfish. The work measures including frame. number 184 /300.
Paper
Red Rope, Framed Offset Lithograph by Takashi Murakami
By Takashi Murakami
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Framed original offset lithograph by Takashi Murakami. Signed and dated. Limited edition of 300.
Sold
H 26.75 in W 26.75 in D 1 in
Flower Ball 'Kindergarten Days', Offset Print in Colors by Takashi Murakami
By Takashi Murakami
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Framed original offset lithograph print in colors by Takashi Murakami. Signed and dated. Limited edition of 300.
Sold
H 19.63 in W 19.63 in D 1 in
"And then, and then and then and then and then" Gargle Glop by Takashi Murakami
By Takashi Murakami
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A framed original offset lithograph by the Japanese contemporary artist Takashi Murakami. Entitled "And then, and then and then and then and then" Gargle Glop, the print is hand signed and dated in silver ink by the artist. Numbered out of 300 editions, it presents the world famous Mr. DOB, the hybrid cartoon figure...
Glass, Paper
Takashi Murakami
By Takashi Murakami
Located in grand Lancy, CH
Takashi Murakami book in French.