More is most certainly more when it comes to Yayoi Kusama’s distinctively bright creative style, which has recently taken Melbourne’s NGV in a blinding wave of brilliant polka-dots.
Melbourne has been transformed into the epicentre of contemporary art this summer, with the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) unveiling a world-premiere exhibition dedicated to the legendary Japanese artist and undisputed fashion icon Yayoi Kusama.
Titled Yayoi Kusama, the exhibit occupies the entire ground floor of NGV International and represents one of the most comprehensive retrospectives of Kusama’s work ever presented worldwide (in addition to being the largest Kusama exhibition ever held in Australia). Featuring over 180 works, many of which are being shown in Australia for the first time, the exhibition showcases Kusama’s immersive infinity mirror rooms, alongside painting, sculpture, collage, fashion, video, and installation art.
“Yayoi Kusama is one of the most significant artists of our time, and this exhibition is a testament to her unparalleled impact on contemporary art,” said Tony Ellwood AM, Director of NGV. “We are thrilled to offer local and international audiences a deeper and more profound experience of Kusama’s work than ever before.”
In case you needed another reason to add this to your summer list, a major draw of the collection is the global debut of a new infinity mirror room. This kaleidoscopic installation transports visitors into an infinitely reflective space, a signature of Kusama’s immersive art. Also featured is the Dancing Pumpkin, a monumental five-metre-tall bronze sculpture first conceived in 2020, and the Australian premiere of THE HOPE OF THE POLKA DOTS BURIED IN INFINITY WILL ETERNALLY COVER THE UNIVERSE– a striking installation of towering polka-dotted forms.
The exhibition also invites guests to revisit Kusama’s iconic Narcissus Garden, a new iteration of her famous 1966 Venice Biennale installation. Consisting of over 1,400 reflective stainless-steel balls, the installation creates a mesmerizing, infinite reflection that envelops the viewer in a sea of mirrors.
In addition to these highlights, the NGV features a site-specific artwork for the Waterwall and a playful installation of giant balloons in the Great Hall titled Dots Obsession. The exhibition also explores Kusama’s radical performance art and fashion designs from the late 1960s, with materials drawn from her own archives.
Steve Dimopoulos, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, remarked, “We are proud to support this landmark exhibition, which will boost local businesses and create jobs while showcasing Melbourne’s commitment to the arts.”
For more information on the NGV’s exciting ode to the creative genius of Yayoi Kusama’s lasting legacy, visit ngv.com.au.
