“The Dots Within” by Yayoi Kusama
"The Dots Within", an exhibition celebrating the artwork of Japan's most premier and notable avant-garde artist, Yayoi Kusama, the princess of polka dots. "The Dots Within" features a selection of artwork that will encompass a myriad of Kusama's work in different media which will include canvas work, print work, ceramic work, mixed media work and watercolour work. Featuring works from the 1970's to 2010 we hope to give a glimpse into Yayoi Kusama's sheer genius as an artist.
Yayoi Kusama was born in Matsumoto-shi, Nagano-Ken, Japan in 1929. Kusama is one of Japan's most famous and premiere artists of the modern era. Her art has been described as containing attributes of feminism, minimalism, abstract expressionism and pop art. Kusama felt she was: "as an unwanted child of unloving parents"
Within Yayoi Kusama's artwork is the concept that we are all just one polka dot that is within this planet, which is but a dot within the solar system, which is a dot within the galaxy, which is a dot within the universe which is but a dot on a pumpkin… and thus the cycle continues into infinity.
Features/Highlights:
1. "Dots" acrylic on canvas, 2010. This large piece shows the sheer brilliance of Kusama's ability to bring you in to her artwork, to mesmerize and entrance. This piece almost has a three dimensional effect to it and gives the sense of being engulfed by the dots should the viewer dare to stare at it for too long!
2. "Mountain and Cloud" watercolour on board, 1979. This is a piece in which Kusama may be possibly reflecting upon the place where she grew up, Matsumoto, which is surrounded by mountains and is acclaimed for its beautiful views. In this piece the mountains soar into the sky and meet the clouds above from a distance. This piece conveys a misty, hypnotic effect and once again we can see her trademark polka dots which are engulfed by the mist, where only the imagination dares to venture. This piece also reflects her skill with different mediums, be it printwork, acrylics or as in this case watercolour.
3. "Flowers" Lame screenprint, 2005. This is a much more recent work by Kusama in which she has used the additional process of lamè, giving a sparkling effect reminiscent of Andy Warhol`s diamond dust or Burton Morris` glitter effect. This piece captivates the viewer drawing them into the piece, with the stems a dominant red warning colour, that promises to engulf and surround the viewer. Once again along with the lame effect, the trade mark polka dots and infinity nets appear, with the polka dots achieving an oozing, eternal effect.
4. "Yellow Coloured Pumpkin" Screenprint, 1994. We see the pumpkin in its many shapes and guises and is Kusama's signature piece and in particular the yellow and black versions. The pumpkin is a recurring subject in Kusama`s artwork and has a range of colours. This classic piece contains the "infinity nets" and "polka dots", the origins of which Kusama traces back to a traumatic childhood and to a specific series of hallucinations that she suffered at the age of ten. Kusama says she found the inspiration for her dot pattern in a daydream she had, also at age 10.
5. "Mirror Box" Mixed media, with mirrors, 2001. A difficult piece to describe, suffice to say that, these two mirror boxes are akin to having a portable installation. When one looks through the spy hole, the world is turned topsey turvey and converted into the world of Kusama's polka dots.
The Dots Within
Date: 12 September — 2 October 2011
Time: 10:00am - 10:00pm daily
Venue: ION Art Gallery, Level 4 ION Orchard
