Created in 1998, it represents a young man and his sperm in a lasso shape around his body, in a style that we would compare to manga cartoons and pop culture, or also what is now called in Japan as the Otaku culture.
It was made in resin, with oil and acrylic paints, and measures 3 meters high. In addition to Japan, it was also exhibited in London and Los Angeles.
Murakami does not expressively shows gay scenes in his work, but sometimes he creates a homoerotic theme. Like this 'CowBoy' proud to show his sperm or masturbation act. A critic mentioned that it was possibly to show the macho spirit in America, the masculinity, the bond among men.
Takashi Murakami is born in Tokyo in 1962. Wanted to create cartoons. Had a father taxi driver. He succeeded to enter at the Arts University. He founded his own workshop at age 33. Then worked for Louis Vuitton in 2004, creating new colored designs with the famous logo. Had a famous although controversed exhibition in Versailles Palais des Glaces in 2010.
Below are two links for short videos about Murakami. The first one is about the Otaku culture, the next one is at the Brooklyn Museum.of Art, where the 2nd retrospective about the artist took place, after the one in Los Angeles
Murakami and the Otaku Culture
Murakami at the Brooklyn Museum of Art
Sources
My-lonesome-cowboy description
Archive Metropolis
Wikipedia Takashi_Murakami
