I discovered the Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama at the MCA in Sydney in 2009. I felt like I was in wonderland: polka dots everywhere, mirrored walls, giant flowers, and colourful amorphous sculptures. There is an obsessive repetition with pattern and form in her work that spans across various media which include sculpture, film, fashion, painting, collage, and installation. In her obsessive abstract creations, the artist has been attempting to escape some trauma as well as to communicate her experiences creatively throughout her career.
The Queensland Art Gallery in Brisbane is showing 'Yayoi Kusama: Look Now, See Forever'. which ends this weekend. I doubt I’ll make it to this show. So far, the exhibition appears to have been successful.
Yesterday, I read in the Autumn 2012 issue of the ‘Art & Australia magazine’ an article on Kusama by Frances Morris, Head of Collections (International Art) at London’s Tate. An excerpt can be found here. I was amazed at the achievements of the multitalented Kusama who’s been practicing for over 60 years and still has great ambitious projects in mind. I also found this interview with Frances Morris who chats about working with Kusama. Morris has put together the Kusama retrospective at the Tate Modern which runs until June 7th 2012.
Georgia O’Keefe inspired Kusama back in the day and today, it’s Kusama who’s an inspiration to many including me.