Polka dots, pumpkins and halls lined with mirrors, life could never be dull while the art of Yayoi Kusama exists. Here in Australia, we're obsessed with her work. Let's track back to 2017 for a moment, when QAGOMA in Brisbane exhibited Yayoi Kusama: Life Is the Heart of a Rainbow. Children were given permission to tack multi-coloured dots to the otherwise white walls and her yellow and black polka dot infinity room cropped up in every second post on Instagram. Just last year, Sydney-siders relished in the silver orbs of Narcissus Garden, hosted by Sydney Living Museums. Now, it's about to be Adelaide's turn. The Art Gallery of South Australia is hosting the beloved installation THE SPIRITS OF THE PUMPKINS DESCENDED INTO THE HEAVENS.
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Purchased by the National Gallery of Australia and on loan to AGSA, the installation will be available to experience for one year from its opening on April 1. Yes, you know the one. It's the same yellow and black spectacle that captured our attention half a decade ago. For those who have yet to lay their eyes on the piece, a mirror box sits in the centre of the room, both reflecting and marinating in the onslaught of black dots. It's zany and ethereal pop art, much like its maker.
The installation will be showcased alongside the work of Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota, whose site specific web-like centrepiece is the perfect accompaniment to Nagano born Kusama. To further compliment both these artworks, AGSA is curating a Japanese ceramics exhibition titled Pure Form, which will round out this foray into contemporary Japanese art.
THE SPIRITS OF THE PUMPKINS DESCENDED INTO THE HEAVENS is set to open at AGSA on Friday, April 1 2022. Entry is free and bookings are not required.
