Yayoi Kusama
Born in Nagano Prefecture, she is an avant-garde artist. From the age of 10, she began creating paintings featuring motifs of polka dots and net patterns, producing fantastical works using watercolor, pastel, and oil paint.
In 1957, she moved to the United States, where she presented massive flat works, soft sculptures, and environmental sculptures incorporating mirrors and lighting, leaving a profound impact on the New York art scene. During the late 1960s, she conducted numerous happenings, including body painting, fashion shows, and anti-war protests.
After returning to Japan in 1993, she continued to create prolifically, not only in painting but also in novels and poetry collections. Her solo exhibitions have been held at major museums worldwide. With over 70 years of unwavering dedication to her art, she is regarded as one of the most respected artists globally.
Polka dots (dots) and nets are key motifs at the core of Yayoi Kusama's work. Kusama developed installations of "self-obliteration", in which she applies polka dots to paintings, sculptures, entire exhibition spaces, and even herself, into a form of expression known as happenings. Since the late 1980s, she has also created numerous outdoor public art pieces, such as pumpkin sculptures. Polka dots have literally become a global icon of Kusama's art. She once said, "I am a polka dot, you are a polka dot. All life, even the Earth itself, is but a single polka dot floating in the universe". As a unique message of love, each polka dot embodies Kusama’s vision of "eternal soul" and will continue to resonate worldwide.
One characteristic of Japanese culture is its long-standing tradition of quickly adopting foreign influences and refining them with its own unique sensibilities, transforming them into highly creative expressions. This cultural DNA of secondary creation, born from Japan’s natural and historical context, continues to be passed down and reflected in the work of contemporary Japanese artists.
1995: Received an honorary doctorate from the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
2004: Awarded the Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French government.
2008: Held a retrospective exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, USA.
2010: Received the Japan Art Academy Award.
2016: Honored with the Order of Culture, Japan's highest recognition for cultural contributions.
2018: Kusama’s work gained international acclaim, with an exhibition at a New York gallery attracting significant attention.
2021: Kusama’s *My Eternal Soul* series was highly praised, leading to exhibitions worldwide.
2022: Nominated for multiple international awards as one of the most influential female artists in the art world.