Takashi Murakami: Flowers

Takashi Murakami is the creator of "Superflat", a movement inspired by consumerist society and Japanese graphic art, combining elements of kitsch and pop art. Murakami's style and popularity are often compared to Andy Warhol's and, like the pop art genius, he uses recurring motifs in many of his artworks. Murakami's flowers have quickly become the most recognizable feature of his work. These smiling 12-petal flowers toe the line between cute and psychedelic. They denote happiness, innocence and are soothing to look at. And this is even more true once you understand the story behind the repeated use of this motif.

While working as a teacher in the 1980s, Murakami bought flowers for his students to practice drawing. He continued to teach in this way for 9 years and became fascinated by flowers. He began to create artworks which consisted entirely of flowers, and made them a staple feature in many others. Today, their visibility extends far beyond these first artworks and can be spotted everywhere, from his work to a famous brand of trainers to the Château de Versailles. Discover our collection of Murakami artworks with his iconic flower motif on Artsper.