Statement:

To become a living example of the potential of art.

Biography:

Born in Tokyo, 1962. The paintings, sculptures, and balloons of Takashi Murakami are colorful, attractive and accessible in their reference to lovable cartoon characters he creates. Murakami uses his deep understanding of Western art to integrate his work into its structure working from the inside to portray Japanese-ness as a tool to bring about revolution in the world of art. As an artist, Murakami questions the lines drawn between East and West, past and present, high art and popular culture. Twice a year he holds the GEISAI festival in Japan for young emerging talent, and with his company Kaikai Kiki, supports and manages a group of young artists while preparing for his future endeavors.