Japan Pop Art: Yayoi Kusama, Takashi Murakami, Tomoko Nagao & more

A Journey Between Past and Present: From the Masters to the Heirs of Japanese Pop Art

From April 15 to May 17, 2025, Deodato Arte Gallery in Milan (Via Nerino, 1) will host the exhibition “Japan Pop Art: Yayoi Kusama, Takashi Murakami, Tomoko Nagao and More”, an event celebrating the great masters of contemporary Japanese art and the artists who have followed in their footsteps, reinterpreting their visual language.

The opening will take place on Tuesday, April 15, at 6:30 p.m., offering the public an opportunity to immerse themselves in the artistic universe of some of the most iconic figures on the Japanese art scene, including Yayoi Kusama, Takashi Murakami, Tomoko Nagao, Hiroyuki Takahashi, Bearbrick and Hitomi Maehashi.



Yayoi Kusama: The Hypnotic World of Polka Dots

Prominent among the works on display are some extremely rare works by Yayoi Kusama, a legendary artist known for her famous polka dots and Infinity Mirror Rooms. 

Visitors will be able to admire sculptures and works on paper, including “Untitled”, a work emblematic of her poetics, based on obsessive repetition and the dissolution of the ego into infinity. Kusama, among the world's top-rated living artists, transforms her obsessions into visionary and global imagery.

Takashi Murakami: The Superflat and the Neo-Pop Aesthetic

Considered the main heir of Japanese Pop Art, Takashi Murakami revolutionized the contemporary visual language with his Superflat movement, fusing traditional Japanese culture, anime and consumerism. 

The exhibition includes a selection of his iconic works, such as the famous “Flowerball” and DOB-Kun sculptures, capable of transporting the audience into a chromatically explosive world.

Contemporary Artists: The New Face of Japan Pop Art

Alongside the two great masters, the exhibition features contemporary artists who reinterpret Japanese pop aesthetics with unique languages:

  • Tomoko Nagao, an exponent of MicroPop Art, reinterprets Western classical art with pop elements and references to mass culture.
  • Hiroyuki Takahashi and Hitomi Maehashi mix kawaii aesthetics and digital art, exploring new frontiers of graphic design and illustration.
  • Bearbrick, a famous art toy born from the collaboration with Medicom Toy, represents an iconic fusion of art, fashion, and design.

An Event Not to Be Missed

The exhibition “Japan Pop Art” aims to be an immersive journey between tradition and contemporaneity, offering an in-depth look at the cultural and stylistic influences that have made Japanese art a global phenomenon.

We look forward to seeing you from April 15 to May 17, 2025 at Deodato Arte Gallery to discover the extraordinary works of these artists and be fascinated by their unique vision of the contemporary art world.

Art Night in Rome - April 15, 2025

As part of the side events to the main exhibition, Deodato Arte Gallery Rome will organize a special Art Night in Rome on April 15, 2025. 

This exclusive evening will offer participants a unique opportunity to delve into the relationship between Japan Pop Art and the contemporary art scene through works, performances, and moments of discussion with experts in the field.



Art Night in Padua - May 23, 2025 with Tomoko Nagao

The second exhibition spin-off will be held on May 23, 2025 in Padua, Italy, with a special event featuring artist Tomoko Nagao

During the evening, the audience will have the opportunity to meet the artist and discover her journey in MicroPop Art, exploring how she reinterprets Western classical art with pop elements and contemporary cultural influences. 

A must-attend event for lovers of Japanese art!