Yayoi Kusama

NGV International

Ground Level

15 Dec 24 – 21 Apr 25

Yayoi Kusama is one of the world’s most celebrated living artists. Her polka-dotted pumpkin and flower sculptures are recognised globally, and her infinity mirror rooms are pivotal to the twenty-first century’s turn towards art as an immersive experience.

Yayoi Kusama explores Kusama’s unique worldview, starting with artwork created during her childhood and culminating with works made this year. In between, Kusama’s extraordinary career is surveyed, from her experimental years in postwar Japan to her contributions to New York’s avant-garde scene in the 1960s, through to her return to Japan in 1973 and subsequent re-emergence as an artist of international renown.

Comprising close to 200 works, this is the largest exhibition of Kusama’s work presented in Australia and one of the most comprehensive retrospectives of the artist ever presented globally. Featuring painting, sculpture, collage, fashion, film and installation, the exhibition reveals the astonishing breadth of Kusama’s multidisciplinary practice.

Installation images

Virtual Tour

Key works

In the Collection

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Yayoi Kusama | Exhibition Overview

Yayoi Kusama at NGV

Publications

Yayoi Kusama

Step into the vibrant and mesmerising world of Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama with this immersive publication that explores eighty years of the artist’s life and work. From early works on paper to her multi-panel paintings, fashion, and textiles, Kusama’s creative universe unfolds. Discover the iconic mirrored infinity rooms, trademark pumpkins, flowers, and polka dots that have captivated audiences worldwide.

With a cover designed by the artist herself, Yayoi Kusama features over two hundred images alongside four newly commissioned essays by esteemed Kusama experts, offering insight into the motifs, themes and personal experiences that have shaped one of the greatest contemporary artists of our time. 

Published November 2024
Page extent: 288 pages
Format: Hardback, portrait | 285 x 220 mm
RRP: $59.95*
ISBN: 9781922398109

*Members discount available for publication purchases at the NGV Design Store and Online.

Lots of dots by Yayoi Kusama

This stunning board book is die-cut in the shape of one of Yayoi Kusama’s pumpkins. Lots of dots features an array of dazzling and tactile embellishments – including metallic foil and felt flocking – to engage early readers in Kusama’s vibrant works of art. This visual and textural experience creates a colourful opportunity for readers to develop fine motor skills.

Big dots, little dots, furry dots and shiny dots are waiting to be explored on every page of this special book.

With joyful surprises at every turn, Lots of dots helps early readers to learn about colours, practise counting and begin a lifelong love of art.

Let Yayoi Kusama take you on a journey into her wonderful world of dots!

Published November 2024
Page extent: 30 pages
Format: Die-cut board book
RRP: $24.95*
ISBN: 9781922398130

*Members discount available for publication purchases at the NGV Design Store and Online.