Takashi Murakami in Conversation at Japan Cultural Expo 2.0

Japan Cultural Expo 2.0 is delighted to announce that world-renowned contemporary artist Takashi Murakami will be speaking at the Victoria and Albert Museum, South Kensington on 8th December 2024, in his first public event in the UK since 2018.

The talk forms part of Japan Cultural Expo 2.0, an initiative of the government of Japan to promote Japanese arts and culture around the world. The event will be hosted by and organised in association with the Victoria and Albert Museum, the world’s leading museum for art, design and performance with collections unrivalled in their scope and diversity, spanning 5000 years of human creativity.

Takashi Murakami in Conversation at Japan Cultural Expo 2.0 — Takashi Murakami
Photo by Shin Suzuki

Best known for his instantly recognisable paintings, sculptures, fashion collaborations and films populated with motifs and characters of his own creation, Murakami is recognised for his mix of fine art and commercial media. His practice ingeniously combines the past and future of Japanese art by using traditional techniques and motifs like ukiyo-e and byōbu-e (Japanese folding screen paintings), as well as references to contemporary Japanese pop culture including anime.

Drawing inspiration from Japan Cultural Expo 2.0’s concept The Beauty and Spirit of Japan, this event will delve into the country’s rich arts, history and culture, while exploring Murakami’s key works and the enduring appeal of Japanese art and how it informs his practice. As part of the wide-ranging Japan Cultural Expo 2.0 initiative, which encourages global audiences to engage with Japan’s vibrant cultural landscape through a cultural programme including exhibitions and talks, this event offers a unique opportunity to appreciate the depth and beauty of Japanese tradition.

About The Japan Cultural Expo (JCE)

The Japan Cultural Expo (JCE) is an initiative of the Japanese government to promote
Japanese arts and culture worldwide. Through a wide array of cultural programmes, including exhibitions, festivals, talks and performing arts initiatives, JCE’s mission is to encourage people from around the world to discover the richness of Japanese culture.
Led by the Agency for Cultural Affairs and the Japan Arts Council, it is a collaborative,
inter-agency project that draws on the cooperation of numerous public and private sector partners.

The Japan Cultural Expo serves as an information hub for people to experience Japanese arts and access community culture.