Known to the hip-hop world as the guy behind Kanye West's "Graduation" album cover and the man who brought the colorful "Superflat monogram" to Louis Vuitton, Takashi Murakami is Japan's leading pop artist. Last year, his multimedia pieces took over the Brooklyn Museum, and now through October 24, NYC gets a taste of Murakami's "A Picture Of The Blessed Lion Who Stares At Death."

This work isn't as cheery and full of teddy bears and LV logos like we're used to. But if you're into some skulls and wild paint, hit up the exhibit at the Gagosian Gallery on West 24th Street. Check out the finished product after the jump. [Via ArtObserved]