Takashi Murakami is one of the most internationally acclaimed contemporary artists working today. His solo exhibitions at prominent museums around the world and large-scale installations at landmarks such as the Palace of Versailles and Rockefeller Center have attracted the attention of audiences across the globe with their massive scales and polished quality. Through his artistic endeavors, Murakami has linked otaku culture, character iconography, and Japanese art history against the thematic landscape of post-war Japan, developing the concept of "Superflat." And in recent years, he has also made his foray into filmmaking. With each such step, he continues to leave a definite mark on contemporary art history.
In this long-awaited solo exhibition, Murakami's first in Japan since 2001, the 100-meter-long painting, The 500 Arhats was shown in this country for the first time. The work is one of the largest-scale paintings ever produced in global art history and was originally unveiled in Doha in 2012. The presentation there was a token of gratitude to the State of Qatar, one of the first to offer support in the wake of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.
Comprising The 500 Arhats, which has as its themes religion, art, and human mortality and limitations, as well as a number of new works that deal openly with aspects of Japanese history and culture, this exhibition offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience the astonishing scale, energy, and artistic accomplishment of Murakami as a mature artist.
- Mori Art Museum, 2016
- Hardcover, 303 pages
- Japanese and English text
- 8 x 11 inches
