Yayoi Kusama's <em>The Obliteration Room</em> 2002–present. Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art<br/> © YAYOI KUSAMA. Photo: N Harth, QAGOMA

Kusama for Kids

NGV International

Ground Level, Children’s Gallery

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15 Dec 24 – 21 Apr 25, free entry

This summer, the NGV presents Yayoi Kusama, Australia’s largest ever exhibition of art by leading contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama. As part of the exhibition, children and families can enjoy Kusama for Kids, alongside free artworks on display on the ground level of NGV International.

Read on to find out more about the art on display, including the Kusama for Kids exhibition The Obliteration Room – a free interactive installation for children and families – its companion book Lots of dots by Yayoi Kusama, and a host of fun activities as part of the January NGV Kids Summer Festival. Plan your visit and enjoy a day with family and friends!

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About the artist

Yayoi Kusama is recognised as one of the most important artists of her time, with an international career spanning more than eight decades. Born in 1929, she was raised in Matsumoto in central Japan where her family owned a large seed nursery. It was here that Yayoi began painting and drawing at age ten. Throughout her career, Yayoi has returned to the motifs of flowers, pumpkins and polka dots that she depicted as a child growing up among the fields of flowers and vegetable crops.
The Obliteration Room

The Obliteration Room is a large-scale interactive installation for children and families by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. In her art, Yayoi Kusama has used dots to cover many different surfaces and fill entire rooms. She calls this process ‘obliteration’, which means the complete destruction of every trace of something. At the NGV, Yayoi Kusama invites everyone to ‘obliterate’ the rooms by adding bright, colourful dots to the white furniture, objects and surfaces.

More to explore

Waterwall

Even before stepping inside the NGV, a colourful surprise from Yayoi Kusama awaits at the Waterwall. Take some time to touch the water, take photos and begin your journey!

 Dancing Pumpkin

Yayoi Kusama has loved pumpkins ever since she was a child growing up on her family farm growing flowers and pumpkins. Imagine planting a pumpkin seed and watching a pumpkin grow over time. Yayoi Kusama’s sculpture, Dancing Pumpkin, 2020, is huge! More than five metres high and made of bronze, this spectacular sculpture covered in dots seems alive. Everyone is invited to admire, walk under and around the sculpture during their visit.

Narcissus Garden

More than a thousand silver balls cover the floor, creating a magical garden inside the NGV. Crouch down and see your face reflected like a mirror in many of the spheres. The title, Narcissus Garden, refers to a Greek myth about Narcissus, a beautiful boy. He is so handsome, he believes no one is good enough for him and falls in love with his own reflection in the water, turning into the narcissus flower.
NGV KIDS SUMMER FESTIVAL

Drawing activity by Yayoi Kusama

From 11–17 January, NGV Kids Summer Festival returns with a week of free hands-on activities, interactive exhibitions, stories and performances for children and families. Especially for this event, Yayoi Kusama has created a paper pumpkin for children to finish with lots of colourful dots, which they can take home to keep. There are many more activity at NGV Australia, Fed Square too!

Find out more
NGV DESIGN STORE

Lots of dots by Yayoi Kusama

In this new book published by the NGV, Yayoi Kusama takes young children on a journey into her wonderful world of dots. On every page, big dots, little dots, furry dots and shiny dots are waiting to be explored. With surprises at every turn, Lots of dots by Yayoi Kusama helps early readers to learn about colours, practise counting and begin a lifelong love of art.

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Access

Sensory Guide

The Obliteration Room, 2002–present, is a white interior filled with white furniture and objects that will become brightly coloured with dots over the exhibition period. A guide to help prepare and identify where there are potentially overwhelming sensory experiences is available.

See sensory guide

Relaxed Sessions for Children and Families

Relaxed sessions are an opportunity for visitors who could benefit from a quieter Gallery experience to access NGV exhibitions with fewer people and reduced sensory stimuli. All ages are welcome.

Find out more

Yayoi Kusama The Obliteration Room 2002–present. Collaboration between Yayoi Kusama and Queensland Art Gallery. Commissioned by Queensland Art Gallery. Gift of the artist through the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation 2012. Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art, Australia