Shinji Murakami
Puppy

Murakami’s playful creations aim at universal appeal. Simultaneously, Murakami is also concerned with the diligent evolution of form, tech, and craft, often dipping his toe into the design world.

Puppy was among the artist’s early 3-dimentional works and has been a vehicle for his experimentation. It has developed from its first incarnation in 2011, which Murakami considers quite “ugly,” into the iconic sleek object it is today.

Then, in 2019 continued past its achieved perfection back into the realm of experiment as Murakami continues to push the form through material.

Puppy (Generation 1), 2011, wood block, glue, acrylic, resin, collar and leash, 7.5 × 9 × 4.5 in

Puppy (Generation 4), 2013, wood cube, glue, acrylic, varnish, caster, collar and leash, 12 × 4.5 × 10.5 in

Color Puppy (Generation 5, iPhone 5c colors), 2013, wood, glue, alkyd paint, and collar, 10.5 × 4.5 × 10.5 in each

Huge Puppy, 2014
plywood, screw, and alkyd paint, 56 × 24 × 56 in

Paris Puppy (Generation 5), 2017, wood, glue, alkyd paint, and collar, 10.5 × 4.5 × 10.5 in each

White and Black Puppy (Commission), 2018, wood, glue, alkyd paint, and collar, 10.5 × 4.5 × 10.5 in each

Yellow and Black Puppy (Commission), 2018, wood, glue, alkyd paint, and collar, 10.5 × 4.5 × 10.5 in each

Ceramic Puppy, 2019, black clay with gold glaze, 3 × 1.5 × 4 in | 7 × 4 × 10 cm