Year: 2018
Medium: Acrylic on canvas mounted to aluminum
Dimensions: 100 x 100 cm (39 3/8 x 39 3/8 in.)
Acquired from PHILLIPS, 2022
The white “crossed arrow” logo, the symbol of Abloh’s brand Off-White, is drawn largely over the skull motif which Murakami frequently uses. The relationship of Abloh and Murakami was not only a collaboration, but a strong tie of mutual trust and friendship. Abloh mentioned Murakami in several interviews that he had an admiration for him since he was an intern in the architecture industry. The young Abloh was deeply influenced by Murakami, who was already a collaborator artist for Louis Vuitton back then. On the other hand, it is possible that Murakami also considered Abloh as a friend with whom they could deeply understand each other. Abloh was the only artist (besides Doraemon) that Murakami allowed to create work completely merging with his work rather than antagonizing each other.
