Make the first left from the entrance of the Gagosian Gallery and walk in to see Takashi Murakami’s newest work not so succinctly titled Picture of Fate: I am But a Fisherman Who Angles In the Darkness of His Mind.
Greeting you as you enter the large room is a mammoth, four paneled painting of mixed styles from Japanese manga, traditional Chinese art and pop. Murakami depicts a large cat resting on a bridge of skulls as waterfalls of streaming blues, greens and reds surround the scene.
With it’s Cheshire Cat-like smile, the beast looks as if it’s pulled straight from the world of Alice in Wonderland. The cat however is a representation of an ancient mythological creature the Karajisi who was once believed to guard Buddhist temples.
The piece looks like it would be more comfortable residing on the side of a subway car or painted on the façade of an aluminum gate guarding a small business in Brooklyn. The work is common graffiti passed off as expensive and meaningful art.
But it works. The colorful cartoon pours over the viewers in an awe-inspiring way. The viewer feeds on the piece, devouring every red, green blue, black and yellow Murakami has to offer.
The Buddhist origins of the character may be lost to those who neglect to ask reception for the Picture of Fate press release, but even if the cat brings about recollections of reading Through the Looking Glass or memories of watching Garfield after school, Picture of Fate will leave a lasting mark.
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