Takashi Murakami: Stepping on the Tail of a Rainbow

Cleveland’s world-class art scene is always making headlines. And this summer dominated by pop culture is no exception. On May 25, the new ticketed exhibition “Takashi Murakami: Stepping on the Tail of a Rainbow,” will make its mark at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Murakami’s bold, pop-art style takes inspiration from anime, manga, otaku and kawaii — cornerstones of Japanese culture — and makes you feel like you are escaping into another dimension.

This exhibition features vibrant paintings and jaw-dropping sculptures from Murakami, who wants to interpret the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami and the COVID-19 pandemic — historic, powerful events in Japanese culture.

From the bright, joyful flower collages to the 3D-animated sculptures, trust us, you’ll want to see this in person.

The Murakami Magic

Takashi Murakami is no stranger to creating bold, colorful works that inspire audiences worldwide. The world-famous artist is known for being unapologetic in his mission to uplift Japanese culture and challenge Western norms.

Murakami has been in the game for over 30 years. During his powerhouse career, he has had work displayed in other world-class museums like Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art and Boston’s Museum of Fine Art. Murakami has even collaborated with top-tier fashion houses like Louis Vuitton to create custom jewelry and merchandise.

And for our pop-culture fanatics, Murakami designed Kayne West’s Graduation album cover and directed Billie Eilish’s “You Should See Me in a Crown” music video.

Courtesy of his encyclopedia of accolades, Murakami was named one of TIME Magazine’s Most Influential People in the World in 2008.

Plan Your Visit

“Takashi Murakami: Stepping on the Tail of a Rainbow” will have its grand opening on Sunday, May 25 in The Kelvin and Eleanor Smith Foundation Exhibition Hall and Gallery at the Cleveland Museum of Art. This showstopping exhibition will stick around through the summer until Sept. 7.

Entry is free for Cleveland Museum of Art members, $15 for guests of members and $30 for all other adults. The exhibition is open during the museum’s regular hours:

Once you explore the exhibit, check out everything else University Circle has to offer. Keep the flower theme going at the stunning Cleveland Botanical Garden, or find the Superman statue and DeLorean at The Cleveland History Center, which is only right for this pop culture summer in CLE.

As jaw-dropping as these photos are, nothing beats art up close and personal. So, step out into The Land this summer and experience the boundless imagination and colorful creations of Takashi Murakami.