Takashi Murakami creates limited-edition UNO deck for Mattel

Cards from the 2022 UNO Artiste Series limited-edition deck by Japanese contemporary artist Takashi Murakami. Image courtesy of Mattel. © Takashi Murakami Kaikai Kiki Co. All Rights Reserved

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – The latest entry in the UNO Artiste Series, which combines the classic card game with imagery from famed artists, features the work of Japanese contemporary artist Takashi Murakami.

Inspired by Murakami’s signature bright and bold colors, along with his classic smiling flower characters, the UNO Artiste Series: Murakami brings his Superflat aesthetic to life in a premium UNO deck containing 112 cards. It also comes with a five-by-seven-inch mini-poster with an image of his smiling flowers.

Takashi Murakami, the famed 60-year-old Japanese contemporary artist, follows in the footsteps of Shepard Fairey and Nina Chanel Abney in designing a limited-edition UNO deck for Mattel. Two other decks featured the works of the late artists Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Image courtesy of Mattel. Photo credit RK for Highsnobiety

The deck incorporates a wide selection of his signature artwork and even marks the first Murakami collaboration piece to include one of his abstract paintings.

Murakami includes a premium card finish and a spot UV treatment on the packaging, bringing his most vibrant creations to a new and playable medium.

The deck also includes four double-sided Artiste Extra cards that piece together to create two different poster-sized art pieces.

Launched in 2019 with Jean-Michel Basquiat, the UNO Artiste series pays homage to influential artists across decades by infusing art directly into a premium deck. The series expanded in 2020 with decks featuring the art of Keith Haring and Nina Chanel Abney. In 2021, UNO teamed up with artist and illustrator Shepard Fairey. The Murakami deck is the fifth in the limited-edition series.

The Takashi Murakami UNO Artiste Series limited-edition deck is the fifth in the series, which features contemporary artists. Image courtesy of Mattel. Photo credit RK for Highsnobiety

The UNO Artiste Series: Takashi Murakami deck will be available exclusively through the Mattel Creations website starting Friday, August 5, at noon Eastern Standard Time, priced at $25.00.