Yayoi Kusama

I am, as ever, intrigued by Yayoi Kusama. An avant garde artist in the 1960's who made a name for herself with her happenings as well as her fashion line she is obsessed with polka dots. A quote: "a polka-dot has the form of the sun, which is a symbol of the energy of the whole world and our living life, and also the form of the moon, which is calm. Round, soft, colorful, senseless and unknowing. Polka-dots become movement... Polka dots are a way to infinity."

As a child she suffered from hallucinations and mental illness. In fact she has voluntarily lived in a Tokyo mental hospital near her studio since the mid-1970's. She is a prolific artist and I think the color and form in her work is spectacular. This is an artist I need to see more of. It looks as if she has a number of books out, so I think it's time to invest.

I like seeing her in action in this trailer for a documentary on her called I Love Me.









The red and white polka dot works are from a 2009 exhibition called Walking in My Mind.