“Obliteration Room” exhibited in Brisbane 2015
Yayoi Kusama (b. 1929) delves deep into psychology and her own experiences in her installation art. As an “obsessive artist,” she creates repetitive wacky forms that reflect the hallucinations she says made her suicidal as a kid. Her trademark polka dots become creepy through their pervasive and unexpected use. Everything is a dot.
Her mental illness has kept her hospitalized since the 1970s. Art takes a critical role in her life, and may indeed be the only thing keeping her alive. The art may seem like abstract organic expressionism, but is actually a literal interpretation of her mental episodes.
Through uses of mirrors, Kusama takes us through an eternal, never-ending experience of repetition and confinement. Cute Japanese forms take a sinister nature and human sexuality becomes less than enticing. Kusama’s involvement in anti-Vietnam War protests also show social awareness and disillusionment.
In 2006 she became the first woman to receive the prestigious Praemium Imperiale award. Kusama is widely recognized as one of the greatest artists alive.
“Dots Obsession” exhibited in Wiels Bruxelles 2007
“Dots Obsession” exhibited in Parc Villette Paris 2008
“Walking in my mind” exhibited in Hayward Gallery London 2009
“Aftermath of Obliteration of Eternity” exhibited in Gagosian Gallery NYC 2006
“Inner Outer Space” exhibited in Mattress Factory Pittsburgh 2008
“Dots Obsession” exhibited in la Villette grande halle 2008
“Tulips” exhibited at Matsumoto Museum of Art 2009
“Dots Obsession” exhibited in la Villette grande halle 2008
