Step into Takashi Murakami’s immersive new exhibition at the Cleveland Museum of Art, a vivid exploration blending pop aesthetics with deeper meditations on Japan’s cultural memory.
Takashi Murakami’s Stepping on the Tail of a Rainbow has arrived at the Cleveland Museum of Art, offering an expansive view into the artist’s fusion of traditional Japanese art and contemporary pop culture. Running from May 25 through September 7, the exhibition features works exploring themes of trauma, resilience, and the intersection of past and present.
Inside, visitors encounter paintings and sculptures reflecting significant historical events, including the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Murakami’s vividly detailed works prompt reflection on these moments and their lasting effects on Japanese society and culture.
Exhibition highlights include In the Land of the Dead, Stepping on the Tail of a Rainbow, an 82-foot painting responding to the 2011 Tōhoku disaster, and 100 Arhats, a monumental piece inspired by Buddhist iconography. Early drawings and self-portraits are also displayed, revealing Murakami’s artistic evolution.
For visitors looking to commemorate their experience, the museum offers limited-edition prints signed by Murakami, with proceeds supporting the exhibition. Additionally, the first 50,000 guests receive exclusive collectible trading cards designed by the artist.
This exhibition is presented by Akron Children’s and organized by The Broad Museum, Los Angeles, with curation by Ed Schad, Curator and Publications Manager at The Broad. Reserve your tickets now on the Cleveland Museum of Art’s website to experience this exceptional showcase of Murakami’s work.
