Here is an interesting article about Murakami and his upcoming show in the United States:
Japanese artist Takashi Murakami is a litany of contradictions -- trained in classical art, he made his name through otaku pop culture; a fashion icon who rarely wears anything other than scruffy jeans and T-shirts; his work can be seen on cheap trinkets and 500,000 yen Louis Vuitton handbags.
Murakami is poised to bring more Japanese art to the world with the Oct. 29 opening of "Murakami" at the Geffen Contemporary in the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles."
Part of the show takes its inspiration from Tokyo's Comike manga exhibitions and is filled with the artists pop art figure sculptures. Another section features bags and accessories from his famous, or infamous, Louis Vuitton Collaboration. The final section shows Murakami's paintings and sculptures split into two parts...
Full article:
Yen and the art of Takashi Murakami - Mainichi