Yayoi Kusama: My Eternal Soul

by Chrissi Baesa April 27, 2017

We’ve recently had the pleasure of attending Yayoi Kusama’s My Eternal Soul exhibition located at the National Art Center in Tokyo. Kusama is one of our favorite artists, not only because she’s placed a significant imprint on the New York art scene in the 60’s, but also because she’s been creating such amazingly detailed art and honing her distinct style for over 70 years. (Kusama is currently 88 years old and still meticulously devotes eight hours a day, 6 days a week to her craft.)

The main gallery for My Eternal Soul features over 70 large-scale paintings that she’s been working on since 2009, as well as some massively colorful flower statues that take center stage. In addition, the exhibition offers a retrospective look into her life and art since childhood that allows you to step into the playfully dark mind of the artist. On view were her earliest rough drawings, experimental 16mm films, her renowned ‘Infinity Nets’ and ‘Infinity Mirror Room’, and of course her polka dot obsession can be seen throughout.

While viewing Kusama’s art for a couple hours might leave you dizzy and seeing spots, it is one of the most amazing collections of one artist that we’ve seen. A must see if you’re in Tokyo this spring.