Takashi Murakami’s new show “Ego”

Murakami1, 20 foot tall inflatable sculpture of Murakami opening the Ego show

At the Al Riwaq Exhibition Hall in Qatar features 70 key works created since 1997, and more than a dozen new pieces that show the artist’s latest preoccupations on Japanese suffering after the March 2011 disaster. These new works depict the human being’s ego when faced with nature and aim to act as a reminder of the limitations of human condition.  Curated by Massimiliano Gioni, Director of next year’s Venice Biennale, the exhibition fills 7500 sq space with gigantic inflatable versions of the artist, spiraling statues, and seemingly endless mural paintings. The exhibition running until June 24  is also Murakami’s biggest one and his first in the Middle East.

Murakami is one of the world’s best-selling artists whose controversial manga sculpture, My Lonesome Cowboy sold for USD 15 million in May 2008. In addition, his company, Kaikai Kiki Co., employs about 70 staff members and artists who execute the artist vision and international brand. In a 2010 interview with Jonathan Wingfield from the Indepentent the Murakami declared: “Whether it’s Picasso’s paintings or mine, people want to know the answer to the same question: what is art? If in my lifetime I can in any way help define the answer, then it’ll be worth all the money I ever earn.”

By the way, if you are interested in receiving a “goody bag” that includes among others, a signed Murakami print by the artist, the artist opened a contest through Feb. 29 that requests that you press “like” on the Facebook page of the Qatar Museum Authority. The winner of the contest will be chosen at random.

Murakami, Arhat Painting (working title, 2012, acrylic gold and platinum on canvas, 303 x 1000 cm)