Experience the extraordinary retrospective, Yayoi Kusama: 1945 to Now, at the renowned Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. This ambitious exhibition pays homage to one of contemporary art’s most influential figures and a cultural icon of the 21st century. Visitors will be fully immersed in Yayoi Kusama’s avant-garde universe, characterised by obsession and singularity, which has evolved and blossomed over the course of her remarkable seven-decade career.
From her early teenage drawings during World War II to her latest captivating immersive creations, this retrospective showcases a carefully curated selection of 200 artworks, encompassing paintings, sculptures, performances, moving images, large-scale installations, and archival materials.
Organized both chronologically and thematically, Kusama’s creative journey is presented through the lens of the profound themes and questions that have shaped her artistic explorations throughout her life: Infinity, Accumulation, Radical Connectivity, Biocosmic, Death, and Force of Life. Additionally, the exhibition contextualises her works within the various political and social landscapes she has experienced.
Kusama’s influence on the art world is undeniable. She has been recognized as one of the most important contemporary artists of our time and has inspired countless others to explore the boundaries of their own creativity. Her legacy continues to grow as new generations discover her work and are captivated by her unique vision.
In a world where conformity often reigns supreme, Yayoi Kusama reminds us of the power of individuality and the importance of artistic expression. Her work is a celebration of life, love, and the infinite possibilities that exist within us all.
Kusama’s art has a strong impact on the art world, influencing the Pop Art and Minimalism movements of the 1960s and 1970s. Her interactive installations, such as the Infinity Mirrored Room, have also become popular on social media, attracting younger audiences to contemporary art.
But Kusama’s contribution to the art industry goes far beyond her captivating works. As a female artist in a male-dominated field, she has broken down barriers and become a role model for women in the arts. Her advocacy for mental health awareness and her open discussion of her own struggles has also brought awareness to a topic that is often stigmatized.
Through her art and activism, Yayoi Kusama has made a lasting impact on the art world and beyond.
Dates: June 27 to October 8, 2023
Curators: Doryun Chong and Mika Yoshitake, in collaboration with Lucía Agirre
Exhibition organized by M+, Hong Kong, in collaboration with the Guggenheim
Museum Bilbao
