Infinity 2020

Takashi Murakami made this painting, Infinity, in his signature style with a riot of color and motifs. Imagine him in his studio, surrounded by assistants, each dot and flower meticulously placed, a blend of pop and traditional Japanese art. He’s probably thinking about Warhol, about how to turn art into a brand, a spectacle, and something deeply personal all at once. Look at how the candy-colored flowers press against each other! There’s barely any room to breathe, each one vying for attention. A skull lurks beneath some of the blooms. It gives the painting a bit of an edge. Murakami loves that tension, it’s like a hyper-kawaii apocalypse. Painters are always in conversation with each other. I see a link between his superflat aesthetic and earlier art movements like Pop Art, yet Murakami gives it a distinctly contemporary twist. He embraces the contradictions, creating a space where cuteness and darkness can coexist.