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Tortured genius: how Yayoi Kusama chose art as her expression

A powerful underlying message as you walk through Kusama's exhibition, art was Kusama's chosen weapon, medicine, self therapy and message to the world. Her creation ignites and inspires conversations and focus on mental health that affects everyone at every level and as a channel to connect with.


”I fight pain, anxiety, and fear every day, and the only method I have found that relieves my illness is to keep creating art. I followed the thread of art and somehow discovered a path that would allow me to live.”

Source: Yayoi Kusama Image / Studio


Following Kusama’s artistic journey shows clear reflection of what she experiences as an artist and her mental health. From her childhood trauma, living through war and upbringing in a traditional Japanese family, where art was taken away from her as she was expected to be a good wife and be married off. Her move to the US with a determination to make a mark in the art world and yet constantly overlooked by a male dominated art world. Her experiences, visions and hallucinations, created expansive fields of work, her phobias and fear of sex, inspires eccentric sculptures. The repetitive obsessive compulsion and most importantly her love for self expression has created some of the world's most psychological artworks.

Source: Yayoi Kusama Exhibition


Kusama’s stunning works is a sign of strength and ability to find and derived inspiration from the darkest deepest trauma. She uses art to express her innermost ideas and has shown that art can be a form of self therapy and a type of release to the universe.

Source: Yayoi Kusama Exhibition / Sculpture

Soure: Yayoi Kusama Exhibition / Installation of Tulips


“Among the waves of people I have managed to survive this long life,” reflects Kusama inInfinity. “How many times did I think about putting a knife to my neck seeking death, I collected my thoughts and got up again. I wish for life’s bright sunshine. I want to live forever.”

Sources : DAZED.com , Yayoi Kusama Exhibitions, Yayoi Kusama Images

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