Mr. Rainbow DOB 2006

Takashi Murakami made 'Mr. Rainbow DOB' sometime after he was born in 1962, and it's got this crazy-smooth surface, like a cartoon dream. The colours are so saturated, they almost vibrate – rainbow gradients blending into each other with a computer-like perfection. This isn't about brushstrokes or texture. It feels more like design than traditional painting. Look at that eye: big, blue, and glossy. It’s staring right through you, like a digital avatar. Is it happy, or is it just programmed to smile? I'm reminded of Jeff Koons, who also has this fascination with surfaces and pop culture. Both play with artifice, making us question what's real and what's just a shiny facade. This work is a space of imagination and asks us to interpret the meaning of artificiality.