Born in Tokyo in 1936. Graduted from Tokyo University of Art, Department of Painting. During his time at university he studied under Ryohei KOISO. Following graduation, he continued to display works at Yomiuri Independent Exhibition, and in 1963, with Gempei AKASEGAWA and Natsuyuki NAKANISHI, formed the avant garde group Hi Red Center, with whom he did anti-art work, including many street happenings and performances. From around 1964 he began to seriously focus on drawings of human shadows, entering the spotlight with his investigation of reality and illusion in his "Shadow" series.

His works range from installations to paintings, sculptures, murals, prints, photos, and film. At the 1968 23rd Venice Biennale, he was awarded the Carlo Cardazzo Award. TAKAMATSU continued to present his work around the globe, such as at the 7th Sao Paulo Biennale in 1973 and Documenta 6 in 1977. With works like stones and wood with only the slightest amount of manipulation, works which totally skew perspective, by daring to think, and make you think, TAKAMTSU's works produced a new kind of relationship between themselves and the world; he had a great influence on conceptual art in Japan after the 1960s. He passed away in 1998.