Yayoi Kusama and Her Obsession of Polkadots

As a young artist, Yayoi Kusama was obsessed with polkadots, and she continued her obsession to her current works. To put her work into perspective, one of her quotes which she then took as inspiration for her work is:

“One day I was looking at the red flower patterns of the tablecloth on a table, and when I looked up I saw the same pattern covering the ceiling, the windows, and the walls, and finally all over the room, my body and the universe. I felt as if I had begun to self-obliterate, to revolve in the infinity of endless time and the absoluteness of space, and be reduced to nothingness. As I realized it was actually happening and not just in my imagination, I was frightened. I knew I had to run away lest I should be deprived of my life by the spell of the red flowers. I ran desperately up the stairs. The steps below me began to fall apart and I fell down the stairs spraining my ankle.”

This quote accurately represents her immersive artwork where the viewer is completely surrounded by her piece. There is no definite beginning or end to her pieces, but instead they seem to extend forever in lights and polkadots infinitely repeating. Kusama’s exhibits draw the viewer in like no other installation.