Takashi Murakami returns to the UK after 15 years with a solo exhibition at London’s Gagosian gallery, where he reimagines Edo-period artworks using artificial intelligence. The highlight is a near-perfect replica of Iwasa Matabei’s 17th-century painting Rakuchu Rakugai Zu Byobu, originally created on a six-panel folding screen. Murakami’s version, infused with his signature colorful flowers and anime characters, blends tradition with modern technology.

2024 longh murak 001
The 13-meter-long masterpiece serves as the centerpiece of the new exhibition at the Gagosian.

AI played a key role in restoring damaged parts of the original artwork, with Murakami working closely with the program to ensure accuracy. “We went back and forth so many times,” he shared, describing the 10-month process. While AI use sparks controversy in creative fields, Murakami embraces it as a tool of artistic evolution, likening current skepticism to early resistance against digital design.

The exhibition also features reimagined works by Edo-period artists like Ogata Kenzan and Utagawa Kuniyoshi. Murakami’s contemporary interpretations, including Wind God and Thunder God in anime style, demonstrate his exploration of how cutting-edge technology can breathe new life into classic art.

murak 2024 0012 det 3
Murakami’s reimagined version features his iconic flower characters alongside scattered anime animals.

Despite his reliance on AI, Murakami employed 30 assistants to complete the Iwasa replica, showcasing his commitment to blending traditional craftsmanship with modern tools. The exhibit reflects his view that AI represents the next step in artistic evolution, a sentiment he believes will gain wider acceptance in the years to come.