Born in Tokyo, Japan. Takashi Murakami received his P.h.D from Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music in 1993. His work is diverse and prolific; ranging from the coordination of GEISAI, collaborations with Roppongi Hills, Louis Vuitton, and Yuzu. Main solo shows: 2001 "Summon monsters? Open the door? Heal? Or die?", Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo; 2002"Kaikai Kiki: Takashi Murakami", fondation Cartier, Paris. In 2007 he held a large-scale retrospective installation "©MURAKAMI" at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, CA; Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn, NY; Museum für Moderne Kunst, Frankfurt, Germany. In September 2010, Murakami exhibited some of his works at the Palace of Versailles in France, filling 15 rooms with his sculptures.