The Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) is set to unveil "Takashi Murakami: Stepping on the Tail of a Rainbow," an expansive exhibition running from May 25 to September 7, 2025. This exhibition showcases the vibrant works of Japanese contemporary artist Takashi Murakami, renowned for blending traditional Japanese art with modern influences like anime and manga.

This exhibition offers visitors an immersive experience into Murakami's dynamic and thought-provoking art, highlighting his unique ability to bridge historical and contemporary cultural themes.

The exhibition will be housed in the Kelvin and Eleanor Smith Foundation Exhibition Hall and Gallery at the CMA. Tickets are available for purchase through the museum's website.

A centerpiece of the exhibition is the re-creation of the Yumedono (Hall of Dreams) from Nara's Hōryūji Temple, installed in the museum's atrium. This structure houses four new paintings by Murakami—Blue Dragon, Vermillion Bird, White Tiger, and Black Tortoise—each exploring themes of crisis, healing, and cultural response to trauma. The exhibition features large-scale paintings and sculptures, including pieces over 30 feet wide. Originally displayed at The Broad in Los Angeles in 2022, the exhibition has been expanded for its presentation in Cleveland, incorporating new artworks and contextual connections with the museum's permanent collection.

Born in Tokyo in 1962, Murakami is known for his "Superflat" art movement, merging traditional Japanese art with contemporary pop culture elements like anime and manga. His work spans various media, including painting, sculpture, fashion, and animation. Murakami has collaborated with notable figures such as fashion designer Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton and musician Kanye West for the album cover of "Graduation."

Murakami's work often addresses themes of crisis, healing, and cultural response to trauma, reflecting on events such as World War II, the 2011 Tōhoku disaster, and the COVID-19 pandemic. By blending traditional and contemporary elements, his art invites viewers to engage with Japan's historical and modern cultural narratives.

Tickets are available for purchase through the museum's website. Member Preview Days are scheduled from May 16 through May 24, 2025. The museum offers a unique series of limited-edition prints by Murakami on the occasion of the exhibition. The first 50,000 guests will receive free limited-edition Takashi Murakami trading cards, created exclusively for Cleveland.

This comprehensive exhibition offers visitors an immersive experience into Murakami's dynamic and thought-provoking art, highlighting his unique ability to bridge historical and contemporary cultural themes.