Yayoi Kusama
March 22, 1929 (age 85)
Yayoi Kusama is a Japanese born avant-garde artist. Her work is associated with the Minimalist movement of the 1960's and 1970's, but she prefers to be referred to as an avant-garde artist. Kusama works very hard day in and day out every single day, even at her old age. She grew up working class in Japan and struggled as a woman in a man-dominated art world in New York.
Mental Health:
Throughout her life, Kusama had great struggles with her mental health, but often used her condition to push her forward in her art practice. She continuously has struggles with hallucinations and obsessive behaviors, which throughout her life have hospitalized her. Now at the age of 85, Kusama lives in a Japanese mental institution, and spends her days working across the street in her art studio.
Yayoi Kusama - "No. F" - 1959 - Oil on canvas - 41 1/2 x 52" (105.4 x 132.1 cm)
Yayoi Kusama - "Accumulation" - 1961 - Sewn stuffed fabric on chair frame - 34 1/2" x 38" x 33"
Yayoi Kusama - "Pumpkin" - 2008 - Fiberglass reinforced plastic - dimensions variable
Yayoi Kusama - "No. F" - 1959 - Oil on canvas - 41 1/2 x 52" (105.4 x 132.1 cm)
Philosophy:
Kusama's artwork often deals with the theme of infinity, as she believes that infinite patterns (mostly polka-dots) are the true way to reach purity and infinity.
Art Practice:
Kusama works in large scale across multiple medias. Even though she is still producing work today, her work is still considered Minimalist (or as she prefers, avant-garde) which was an artistic movement which boomed multiple centuries ago.
Now here's a little more about Kusama, from the woman herself:
Now that you've learned a little bit about Kusama, her life, and her philosophies, here are some of her works.