15 Things You Didn’t Know About Takashi Murakami

Think you know Takashi Murakami? The pop art king built his empire on approachable, cross-genre art, mixing high and lowbrow styles and forms to conquer all audiences—from the Gagosian and Versailles to Kanye West and Pharrell. He’s a fine artist, an entrepreneur, a businessman, and he’s also a whole lot of fun. Here are 15 Things You Didn’t Know About Takashi Murakami.

When vacationing on a small island he came across a dog with four new puppies. He wanted to adopt all four, but his studio staff cautioned against it. He kept one, and her name is Pom.

He also loves facial sheet masks.

He’s got a cartoon alter ego who often shows up in his work

He loves to party.

He has a great sense of humor.

Pie-smashing aside, he doesn’t mind getting his hands (and feet) dirty in the studio.

He’s into acupuncture.

He finds inspiration everywhere.

He’s collaborated with the likes of Pharrell, Louis Vuitton, and Kanye West.

And he just dropped a sick collaboration with Vans.

His artist collective Kaikai Kiki nurtures young artists like Mr. and Aya Takano, and fosters the growing SUPERFLAT movement.

He made a feature film called Jellyfish Eyes. An homage to Japanese pop culture, it follows the adventures of a boy and his magical, mysterious friends, who aren’t what they seem.

He’s not afraid to experiment with different motifs, spray-painting over existing work and creating something new, or variations on a theme.

He has a studio of 50 people in Tokyo, and 20 in New York to assist him with painting and sculpture fabrication.

And his snack game is super strong.