Takashi Murakami's First South American Exhibition Opens at Instituto Tomie Ohtake

The Japanese artist Takashi Murakami, known for his monumental works and pop culture empire, is presenting his first solo exhibition in South America at São Paulo's Instituto Tomie Ohtake. Titled 'Murakami por Murakami,' the show features large-scale paintings, sculptures, videos, and animations from the last decade of his career. Murakami, 57, discussed the complex relationship between art criticism and the market in an interview, noting that controversy often fuels sales. The exhibition includes works reflecting a shift in his practice after the 2011 Japanese earthquake and tsunami, leading him to reconnect with Japanese cultural roots and Zen Buddhism. A highlight is a 10-meter-long painting, the largest in the show. Despite his global acclaim, Murakami expressed frustration with the reception of his work in Japan, feeling it is not valued as fine art. The exhibition runs until March 15.