Pop Art Icon Takashi Murakami Launches NFTs on Base Blockchain

Japanese artist Takashi Murakami announced on July 24 that his new NFT series, inspired by his physical flower-themed works, will be available for minting on the Coinbase-backed Base layer-2 network. Users can mint directly in the Base mobile app beginning July 31, with no prior crypto experience required.

The drop is part of the “Onchain Summer” initiative, bringing mainstream creators into web3. Each digital card mirrors elements of Murakami’s signature flower motifs, rendered in vibrant color palettes. The Base app guides collectors through a tap-to-mint process, removing wallet setups and gas fee complexities.

Murakami, known for blending high art with pop culture, has previously collaborated with brands including Louis Vuitton and Supreme. The artist’s physical flower paintings have sold for millions at auction houses worldwide. This marks his first fully onchain collectible release.

The “108 Flowers Revised” collection draws from Murakami’s ongoing flower series, which began in the 1990s. His flower motifs typically feature bright colors and cartoon-like expressions, combining traditional Japanese art elements with contemporary pop aesthetics.

Base’s “Onchain Summer” campaign targets artists and creators who have not previously released NFT collections. The initiative provides simplified tools and processes to reduce technical barriers for mainstream adoption.

Base, launched by Coinbase in August 2023, operates as an Ethereum layer-2 network designed for low-cost, high-speed transactions with user-friendly onramps for newcomers to cryptocurrency.

Murakami has not disclosed the total supply of the NFT collection or pricing details. The Base app will handle the minting process automatically, including wallet creation for new users who download the application specifically for the drop.

The collaboration represents a significant step in bridging traditional art markets with blockchain technology, potentially opening the door for other major artists to explore onchain collectibles.