Day two of the opening of Yayoi Kusama and I was in the queue for the opening of GOMA. I have followed her work for a number of years now, having even visited her hometown of Matsumoto in Japan where the local gallery has a permanent exhibition of her works, largely donated by the artist.

She has had a close relationship with Brisbane, having first exhibited here in 1989. You can even find her works adorning the outdoor area of the Supreme And District Court in George Street.

This exhibition is very extensive, taking in some of her very early works. It gives a beautiful timeline of the progression of her art. As the years progress her art has grown, not only on a personal level, but also in a literal sense. Her canvases and installations get bigger, allowing you to fall into the mesmerising worlds she creates.

There is a child-like simplicity to much of her art, but also intricacy and depth. Water, mirrors, day glow orbs and UV light inside a small room may sound “everyday”, but it will transport you to another dimension, another reality. Like the TARDIS, it’s much bigger on the inside. Dots are a big thing. So too are pumpkins. And colour! Here is an artist that is not afraid of colour.

Though Kusama has a dark side and a sometimes fragile state of mind, her art is alive, happy and full of life. She can take you into the realms of infinity and, hopefully, back again.

Now at the age of 88, she is still exploring places other artists’ dream of. She refuses to be constrained by the confines of what is expected, and treads the light fantastic. Take her hand and go there with her!

 

By Keith Whitefoord