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 Deck, 2017
By Takashi Murakami
Located in Brooklyn, 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 I...
Wood
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 Invitation Card with Original Mr. Dob Drawing (2001)
By Takashi Murakami
Located in New York, NY
Invitation card for “Wink,” Takashi Murakami’s landmark installation held at Vanderbilt Hall, Grand Central Terminal, from March 14-April 13, 2001. 5” x 7”. Published by Creative Tim...
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
Yayoi Kusama Takashi Murakami Skateboard decks (2 works)
By Yayoi Kusama, Takashi Murakami
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Yayoi Kusama & Takashi Murakami Skateboard Decks (2 works): A set of two individual skateboard decks featuring Kusama's dots obsession imagery & Murakami’s iconic flowers. Makes fo...
Wood
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
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
$325 / set
H 6.5 in W 6.5 in D 6.5 in
Set of Seven Handmade Vintage Primitive Vintage Nesting Cubes/Blocks in Pine
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Primitive set of seven blocks and boxes (some four-sided, some two) which nest in the largest box (ca. early 20th Century, USA). Thoughtfully crafted with finger jointed-edges and un...
Pine
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
Large Original Technical Drawing of Air Compressor, 1925
Located in Praha, CZ
handmade technical drawing. Stamped in 1925 by Technical University in Brno. Ink on a paper. Newly framed in mat anthracit steel frame. Mat glass.
Steel
$280Sale Price|20% Off
H 35 in W 23 in D 0 in
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
$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
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
Vintage Wind-Up Motorcycle Tin Toy by Marx Toy Company
By Marx Toy Co.
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage wind-up motorcycle tin toy by Marx Toy Company, circa late 1930s. This rare piece is in good vintage working condition with good lithography and minimal rust; it measures 8....
Metal, Tin
$295
H 4.75 in W 13 in D 8 in
Mid Century Tin Litho Friction Police Highway Patrol Helicopter, C1960, Japan
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous friction helicopter from Japan C 1960. Toy works great, push copter and the blades start spinning. Does not fly, nor was it intended to. Great graph...
Tin
Mid 19th Century Antique Wooden Rocking Horse on Stand
Located in Stamford, CT
A wonderful mid 19th Century folk working wooden rocking horse painted in early white paint, with glass eyes {one missing} real mane and tail hair, leather saddle on a wooden frame. ...
Wood
HARRY BERTOIA Original pen drawing, Mushroom, 1960s
By Harry Bertoia
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
UNTITLED (Mushroom), CA. 1960 Black ink on Strathmore-Velin H 21 W 27.8 (excl. frame) With certificate of authenticity of the estate Harry Bertoia by Celia Bertoia, Utah, 01.06.2022 ...
Paper
$450
H 11.5 in W 13 in D 7 in
Vintage Raj Hand-Crafted Stuffed Cotton Embroidered Elephant, India, 1950
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Raj Hand-Crafted Stuffed Cotton Embroidered Elephant, India, 1950. Anglo Raj vintage hand-crafted stuffed cotton embroidered elephant, India, 1950. Handmade in Rajasthan, India, colorful fabric elephant toy. Vintage small elephant stuffed cotton embroidered and decorated with small mirrors, great collector piece. Anglo Raj, small stuffed elephant...
Fabric
$1,250
H 15.5 in W 20.5 in D 0.5 in
Kiyoshi Saito Signed & Sealed Japanese Woodblock Print Winter in Aizu the Skiers
By Kiyoshi Saitō
Located in Studio City, CA
This beautifully composed woodblock print featuring two skiers on a snowy pathway as a solidary figure passes in the foreground is by famed Japanese master printmaker/artist Kiyoshi ...
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 Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Takashi Murakami
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 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.
Takashi Murakami "Mr Wink" Cosmos Ball, Peter Norton Project, Plastic
By Takashi Murakami
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very well know artist, Murakami, created Mr Wink, in the year 2000, comes with compact disc, 2000.
Plastic