On Wednesday, Liz and I hopped into a cab and headed over to Chelsea to attend the Takashi Murakami exhibit at the Gagosian Gallery in NYC. Takashi Murakami is a contemporary artist, often referred to as Japan’s answer to Andy Warhol. His exhibition “In the Land of the Dead, Stepping on the Tail of a Rainbow” will be on display at the Gagosian from November 10, 2014 to January 17, 2015. Murakami explores the role of Japanese art and religion in relation to natural catastrophes, such as the Great Tohoku Earthquake of 2011.
The exhibition included a number of massive paintings and sculptures including his signature piece, “Murakami-Ego” which was a painting spanning over 100 meters wide inspired by the Tohoku earthquake. This piece was one of my favorite pieces. There was a lot of detail within the painting. Each face of each character depicted its unique expressions, emotions, and dispositions. These paintings took more than eight years to create, and it shows in the great craftsmanship and detail that went into every piece,

While we were exploring the exhibit I captured a few photos of the paintings and sculptures in the exhibit. If you like what you see here, I encourage you to head over to the Gagosian Gallery and check it out if you’re in the New York City area. You won’t be disappointed!

Takashi Murakami exhibit at the Gagosian Gallery in Chelsea.

Artist Takashi Murakami examines his role in contemporary art and explores Japanese spirituality in his most recent exhibit at the Gagosian Gallery in Chelsea, NYC.

Takashi Murakami exhibit at the Gagosian Gallery in Chelsea.

Liz Lizo takes in the contemporary surrealism in this painting.

Takashi Murakami exhibit at the Gagosian Gallery in Chelsea.

Artist Takashi Murakami examines his role in contemporary art and explores Japanese spirituality in his most recent exhibit at the Gagosian Gallery in Chelsea, NYC. In his paintings he portrays his sentiments in thought bubbles. This reads: “There are fears that visit me everyday. I have never once been able to escape the fear of death. Not so much death itself, but the physical pain and emotional desolation that accompany the process of dying. With no religion to comfort me, no breathing methods to steady my heart, will I be able to face my fate? I am not yet prepared.”

Takashi Murakami exhibit at the Gagosian Gallery in Chelsea.

Artist Takashi Murakami examines his role in contemporary art and explores Japanese spirituality in his most recent exhibit at the Gagosian Gallery in Chelsea, NYC. Each face in his painting has such detail capturing thoughts of isolation and fear that many of the earthquake victims in Japan felt.

Takashi Murakami exhibit at the Gagosian Gallery in Chelsea.

Artist Takashi Murakami examines his role in contemporary art and explores Japanese spirituality in his most recent exhibit at the Gagosian Gallery in Chelsea, NYC. This painting has so much detail.

Takashi Murakami exhibit at the Gagosian Gallery in Chelsea.

Artist Takashi Murakami examines his role in contemporary art and explores Japanese spirituality in his most recent exhibit at the Gagosian Gallery in Chelsea, NYC. This painting captures the beauty of Japanese art.

Takashi Murakami exhibit at the Gagosian Gallery in Chelsea.

Artist Takashi Murakami examines his role in contemporary art and explores Japanese spirituality in his most recent exhibit at the Gagosian Gallery in Chelsea, NYC. An elder in the painting gazes off into the distance with a dazed look on his face.

Takashi Murakami exhibit at the Gagosian Gallery in Chelsea.

Artist Takashi Murakami examines his role in contemporary art and explores Japanese spirituality in his most recent exhibit at the Gagosian Gallery in Chelsea, NYC. Notice the emaciated bodies and rotting teeth of the subjects in the painting.

Thanks for visiting. I look forward to posting more exciting articles on here!

- Maya