Ego by Takashi Murakami
–
Fine art meets pop culture
Ego opened at QM Gallery, Al Riwaq on February 9, 2012. In an exhibition space spanning almost 2,300 square-metres, over sixty works were showcased. These included sculptures, paintings, animations and a giant circus tent.
Through bursts of colour and a myriad of characters, the work touched on a range of themes. It often channeled the ecstasy and anxiety of consumerism - a topic that resonates with a broad audience in Doha.
Force of nature
Murakami realized his largest painting to date at the exhibition. Arhat stretched 100 meters, wrapping around three sides of the main gallery space, and divided into 25-meter sections devoted to wind, forest, fire and mountain. Conceived as a response to the recent disasters in Japan, the work draws on traditional historical painting to create an homage to the power of nature.
More about Takashi
Murakami works in fine art as well as what is more commercial media, such as fashion, merchandise, and animation. He is known for blurring the line between high and low art. He coined the term superflat, which describes the aesthetic characteristics of traditional art in Japan. He also uses the term to describe his own artistic style. Murakami is the founder and President of Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd., through which he manages the careers of several younger artists and organizes the biannual art fair, GEISAI.
