Wendy Brandes Jewelry Blog

Never Is the Next New Thing

Going Dotty for Yayoi Kusama

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Yayoi Kusama
Photo source: Click here

I am enthralled by a story on 80-year-old artist Yayoi Kusama in the New York Times Style Magazine. Is Kusama a disturbed outsider artist or a cunning Warholesque manipulator preoccupied with her own fame? Who knows? Either way, I’m in love with her tactile, polka-dotted art.

Kusama in the ’60s
Source: Yayoi Kusama

The artist personifies her aesthetic. And possibly shares wigs with Britney Spears.

Source: Yayoi Kusama

Law & Order reruns would be even more enjoyable if I could watch them from the comfort of my Kusama-designed couch.

Source: Yayoi Kusama

More interesting photos here. Hmm. I got some polka-dotted stones at the Tucson Gem Show. I will have to do a Kusama-inspired design now.

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Comments

  1. I haven’t read the article but looking at her stuff, it’s pretty joyous and cool. Let her be both disturbed and cunning.

  2. Oooh, I haven’t been here for a week, and looking at her art is a treat indeed- thanks for sharing, Wendy! I’m a sucker for polka dots anyway….

  3. Not quite sure what the artist’s mental condition is like, though…she does seem like a fascinating woman.

  4. Going to read the article once I’ve caught up on everyone’s blogs, but didn’t she do something at a Whitney Biennial? The room with the water and lights? Hmm. I love that first pic of her.

  6. I feel like she just bought an ugly shirt once and then came up with a whole shtick to save the shirt.

  7. I love Yayoi Kusama but she is ever so slightly spooky. Somehow (it mind sound a bit silly) she can make polka dots a bit sinister!

  8. I’m now looking at dots in a whole new light. I really like the photo with the horse, I’d love a big framed print of that.

  9. ewww. haven’t thought of her in ages. it musta been about 10years ago i learned of her and was instantly sooo into her work. so glad i stumbled over here to find this reminder! love your blog. so funny.

  10. I just caught a glimpse of her last week when I was watching the Marc Jacobs documentery on the Sundance channel!

  11. Wow wouldn’t her Alice in Wonderland be the fun version to watch! With all the excitement of making the most of the situation I bet there’s an adrenaline rush hahaha!!

  15. I haven’t read the article, so I won’t comment on the mental stability (or lack thereof) of the artist, but I do admire the style. It’s kind of refreshing.

  16. oh hell yes! I love the hunched over look with the red hair and the polka dots. it says: I am a meek-mannered traditional Japanese woman who will kick your ass, given half a reason.

    What juxtaposition!