yayoi kusama at tate modern

although the artist is best known for polka dots in the 1960s and voluntarily admitting herself to hospital in the 1970s (where she still resides), the exhibition follows a chronology of the artist's entire career.

on arrival we are welcomed by giant polka dot spheres suspended from the ceiling which leads the viewer to believe that they will experience an abundance of bright pop art.

 

however upon entering the first room (marking the start of the artist's career) you quickly understand that the artist's early works were hand drawn illustrations much of which are japanese influenced. 

only when the artist moves to the usa and the viewer moves into larger rooms are they introduced to texture and then sculpture. these predominately feature white phallic objects and the room papered with repetition of the same boat image (the boat itself is set at the centre) is interesting. the text on the wall is at pains to inform viewers that the use of repetition was used at least 3 years before warhol.

then as we progress to the 1960s we are introduced to a series of photographs and polka dots on naked hippies frockling around new york. this is probably the artist's most famous work and represent loss of inhibitions and freedom from the restraint of japanese society (if i don't mind saying so myself).

and yet they are not the highlight of the exhibition. the penultimate room features the artist's most recent works which include large canvasses of bold colours, weeds, tadpoles and comic characters, all of which were created whilst in hospital and while the artist resides in japan.

the final room includes a uv lite polka dot living room and then a mirrored box-room of multicolored lights which is simple but absolutely wonderful. this alone is worth a visit.