Acrylic on canvas

40 x 40 cm. 15 3/4 x 15 3/4 in.

Signed in English and dated on reverse
LITERATURE
2008, Murakami/Warhol: Legends of the 20th Century , Michelle Rosenfeld Gallery, New York, p.8

EXHIBITED
15 Apr – 15 Sep 2008, Murakami/Warhol: Legends of the 20th Century, Michelle Rosenfeld Gallery, New York

PROVENANCE
Michelle Rosenfeld Gallery, New York
12 Nov 2008, Sotheby's New York Contemporary Art Auction, Lot 461
Private Collection, Asia

Note: This work is attached with an exhibition label of Michelle Rosenfeld Gallery, New York on reverse

Clear eyes out of a fantasy
Takashi Murakami's Jellyfish Eyes
Murakami is a representative figure of Japanese contemporary art. He was born in an ordinary Japanese family in 1962, but because of his love of art, he became a doctor of fine arts at the Tokyo University of the Arts in 1993. His solid academic foundations together with an innately rich imagination are the reasons for his uniqueness in terms of composition, color, and material selection. They also allowed for his “superflat” aesthetics to occupy an important position in Japanese contemporary art. Murakami has designed printed leather goods for the famous fashion brand Louis Vuitton since 2003 and was invited to give a solo exhibition at the Palace of Versailles in 2010； these are just two examples of the extensive attention and discussion he has attracted. The artist broke all restraints, his passionate colors and unshackled compositions the trademarks of his unique style that has influenced a whole generation of young people.
The object of this auction, Jellyfish Eyes is a graphic painting created by the artist in 2000. Takashi Murakami depicted multiple jellyfish eyes on a blue background. A closer look reveals that the light spots consisting of blue, purple, and pink are as light and clear as human eyes. Takashi Murakami demonstrates here his skillful use of superflat aesthetics； he blends elegant lines and rich colors with traditional Japanese decorative art. The work is also very modern in terms of composition.
In 2013, Takashi Murakami produced a cartoon for the first time in his life, also called Jellyfish Eyes, inspired by a dream he had during his childhood. Japan after the “nuclear leak” in Fukushima in 2011 serves as a background of the story of a group of children fighting against evil scientists with the help of a small jellyfish, which, in the eyes of adults, is not even worth mentioning. The movie's poster features all kinds of underwater creatures roaming the blue sky, and it can be seen as a compositional continuation of the picture Jellyfish Eyes. This pattern represents his hope for a better future, and it is obvious that the concept of “jellyfish eyes” has been brewing in Murakami's heart for many years.

Price estimate:
HKD: 560,000 -660,000
USD: 71,300 - 84,100

Auction Result:
HKD : 660,800