Takashi Murakami talks Art Basel, health, and future plans

Takashi Murakami has landed in Hong Kong. Joining his right-hand stylist Takeshi “Cherry” Ishida of Cherry Fukuoka for a special conversation presented by HSBC, the two came fully dressed for Hong Kong’s Art Week.

In an intimate talk with fans and art enthusiasts, the Superflat artist discussed his work in Kyoto for his Murakami Mononoke Kyoto exhibition. While finishing up, the Tokyo-based artist had time to go over his outwith along with Cherry.

A key accessory he will be wearing throughout the week is the Kaikai Kiki hat, which is one of his signature motifs, and a camo ensemble inspired by the camouflage seen in his collaboration with Louis Vuitton. He pairs the look with boots from New Rock and a chain made by Ben Baller.

Joining him is Takeshi “Cherry” Ishida who also shared with us his full look which is made up of a hat by Ann Demeulemeester, boots by Rick Owens, and a bag from Chrome Hearts.

Outside of the outfit breakdown, we were able to have a longer sit-down discussing some of the more recent topics of Murakami’s life involving spirituality, his health, and what he thinks of this year’s Art Basel. Having been traveling to Hong Kong for the last 15 years, Murakami indicated that the market is much more evolved, that the fair seems like second nature for the city, and that it runs quite smoothly now.

On the topic of his health, the artist has cut out alcohol from his diet and has been going regularly to health checks where he says he battles with depression and negative thoughts of Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease has been in his family, and so Takashi Murakami acknowledges that he too, may fall victim to it like his father.

Continuing to push forward as an artist, Murakami references Willem de Kooning as a source of inspiration as the late artist was able to create beautiful works while battling the disease. He revealed that his next goal is to set up a nice studio so that, he too, can peacefully create abstract works.

Watch the entire video above.