Kusama

October 15, 2023

 

We were thrilled to visit Tate Modern for the long-running, incredibly popular Yayoi Kusama Infinity Rooms exhibition. 

Bringing together 'Infinity Mirrored Room - Filled with the Brilliance of Life' (Kusama's largest installation to date - first seen at the Tate in 2012) and 'Chandelier of Grief' - a room "which creates the illusion of a boundless universe of rotating crystal chandeliers" - the show is epic in proportion, and a celebration of this iconic and brilliant female artist - thankfully receiving the recognition she deserves within her own lifetime. 

 

 

Alongside the immersive installation, there is a small collection of archive photos and moving image - some of which are on view for the first time ever. 

As these photographs will attest - the Japanese artist Kusama has been a style icon and out-there artist for over 60 years and counting. Born in 1929, Japan - She first gained international attention during the 1960's in New York, and since the 70's to this day has lived and worked in Tokyo. Although her long career has not been easy, and for a long time she did not get the recognition she felt she deserved - finally, she has!

 

 

 

 

Once part of the avant-garde scene in 60's New York, Kusama is now the best selling female artist in the world!  

Having suffered from mental health problems for much of her life - she sees art as a way of coping; of carrying on. When Kusama was only 10 she started to experience hallucinations, such as talking flowers and the patterns of fabric starting to come alive. These experiences clearly influenced her art making - in what she describes as 'the obliteration of self'. 

 

 

 

 

Kusama's influence and appeal are so far-reaching in the worlds of video-art, performance, painting, fashion, design and installation - we even named a shoe after her... 

Kusama Pebble - find the last pairs here

 

Yayoi Kusama: Infinity mirror Rooms is on at Tate Modern Gallery, London, until April 2024.

£10, or free with ticket for members. Book yours here 

 

 

 

 

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