Notes

Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from 34FineArt Gallery, Cape Town.

'Drawing from traditional Japanese painting, sci-fi, anime, and the global art market, Takashi Murakami creates paintings, sculptures, and films populated by repeated motifs and mutating characters of his own creation. His wide-ranging work embodies an intersection of pop culture, history, and fine art. ... Since the early 1990s Murakami has invented characters that combine aspects of popular cartoons from Japan, Europe, and the US—from his first Mr. DOB, who sometimes serves as a stand-in for the artist himself, to various anime characters and smiling flowers, bears, and lions. These figures act as icons and symbols—hosts for more complex themes of violence, technology, and fantasy. ... Not only does Murakami merge different time periods, styles, and subject matter in his work, but his approach to art crosses the boundaries between gallery, studio, art fair, and media as well. Along with creating paintings and sculptures, he has hosted art fairs for emerging artists, curated exhibitions, and made films featuring his many characters and motifs. Combining fantasy, science, and history, he shows that none of these categories can be considered in isolation.'¹

1. Gagosioan. Takashi Murakami [Online], Available: https://gagosian.com/artists/takashi-murakami/ [12 December 2018].

Provenance

Acquired directly from the artist/KaiKai Kiki Co. Ltd. by 34FineArt Gallery.

Purchased from 34FineArt Gallery by the current owner in 2010.