M+ Museum has quietly opened for almost a year. To celebrate this grand event, the official announcement will present the special exhibition “Yayoi Kusama: 1945 to Now” on November 12 this year with a new perspective on Yayoi Kusama’s over 70 years of creative career.
“Yayoi Kusama: A Retrospective from 1945 to Present” is the largest retrospective exhibition of the renowned artist Yayoi Kusama held in Asia outside of Japan, co-curated by M+ Deputy Director and Chief Curator Doryun Chong and independent curator Mika Yoshitake. The exhibition features over 200 works from major museums and private collections in Asia, Europe, and the United States, as well as pieces from the M+ collection and Yayoi Kusama’s personal collection.
右：草間彌生《自畫像》2015 年塑膠彩布本145.5 × 112 厘米 Amoli Foundation Ltd. 藏 © 草間彌生
This retrospective exhibition brings out the core aesthetic elements contained in Yayoi Kusama’s works, highlighting the philosophical thoughts about life and death that run through them, as well as her pursuit of interconnectedness, and explores how Yayoi Kusama has become a global cultural icon, creating captivating and highly influential works today.
“Yayoi Kusama: From 1945 to Present” showcases Yayoi Kusama’s works from the earliest to the most recent, exploring her artistic creations in Japan, the United States, and Europe. The exhibition is divided into six themes: Infinity, Accumulation, Interconnectedness, Biomorphic Universe, Death, and the Power of Life, encompassing works in various mediums including painting, installation, sculpture, drawing, collage, moving images, and archival materials.
For the first special exhibition at M+, Yayoi Kusama brings three new sets of works. The large-scale installation “The Death of Neurons” (2022), commissioned by M+, is located in the Lightwell that connects the ground and underground floors of the museum building, hanging down to the subterranean space of B2, viewable from multiple angles inside the building. “Obsession with Dots – Longing for Heaven’s Love” (2022) is situated in the subterranean space of B2, an immensely immersive environment that includes Yayoi Kusama’s iconic mirrored space. In the underground lobby, the public can admire two large sculptures titled “Pumpkin” (2022).
To complement the exhibition, publisher Thames & Hudson collaborated with M+ to publish the catalogue “Yayoi Kusama: From 1945 to Now.” “Yayoi Kusama: From 1945 to Now” is a comprehensive 400-page book with detailed content and rich illustrations, co-edited by Doryun Chong and Michio Hayashi, with contributions from M+ Visual Arts Deputy Curator Shirley Tse and independent researcher and writer Alexandra Munroe. The book includes curator essays, feature articles, a visual timeline of Yayoi Kusama’s images, a roundtable discussion by art world authorities, as well as selected poems, manifestos, past interviews by Yayoi Kusama, and some unpublished written works.
Yayoi Kusama, as a leading figure in contemporary art, uses art to heal herself and inspire countless others. Her creations possess a unique artistic language and philosophy. Through this retrospective exhibition, audiences can fully understand Yayoi Kusama’s artistic journey and appreciate the achievements of this visionary artist from a comprehensive and unique perspective. Don’t miss this grand exhibition opportunity!
Regarding ticketing for “Yayoi Kusama: A Retrospective – From 1945 to Now,” M+ members and sponsors can enjoy priority ticket purchase from September 29 to October 12, 2022. Public tickets will be available for sale to the general public starting from 10:00 on October 13, 2022.
In addition, M+ will be free of charge for the first year after its opening on November 12, 2021. Starting from November 12, 2022, except for the opening exhibition “Hong Kong: Here and Beyond” in the underground lobby gallery, visitors must purchase tickets to enter. Remember to pay attention if you want to enjoy free admission to the museum!
“Yayoi Kusama: 1945 to Now”
Date: November 12, 2022 to May 14, 2023
Location: M+, West Kowloon Cultural District, 38 Museum Drive, Kowloon
Ticket Price: $240 (Adult) | $150 (Concession)
Image source and learn more: M+
