Yayoi Kusama

About

Yayoi Kusama is a renowned Japanese contemporary artist born on March 22, 1929, in Matsumoto, Japan. She is celebrated for her immersive installations and her iconic use of polka dots. Kusama's artistic journey spans multiple mediums, including painting, sculpture, performance, film, fashion, poetry, and fiction. Her work often explores themes of feminism, pop art, abstract expressionism, minimalism, surrealism, and Art Brut. Kusama's unique style is influenced by her experiences with hallucinations, which she began experiencing at a young age, leading to her concept of "self-obliteration." Kusama moved to New York in 1958, where she became part of the avant-garde scene, contributing to the pop-art movement and the hippie counterculture. Her Infinity Rooms, featuring mirrored environments with endless reflections, are particularly famous. Kusama has exhibited her work globally, including at the Venice Biennale and museums like MoMA and the Tate Modern. She has collaborated with brands like Louis Vuitton and continues to create art from her studio in Tokyo, where she resides voluntarily in a mental health facility. Her art serves as a therapeutic outlet for her mental health struggles, showcasing her resilience and creative genius.