Yayoi Kusama 草間彌生 (as she is known in the West) is said to be currently the most expensive Asian artist in the world. And Damien Hirst is said to be currently the world’s wealthiest living artist.
Golden Pumpkin by Yayoi Kusama
If you remember Orchard Road trees ever looking like the dress of a famous girl-mouse, white polka dots on red, you can brag that you have seen the work of Yayoi Kusama. She is better known for being in sensational news in the 1960s, though, and for living by choice in a psychiatric hospital since she returned from the West to Japan in the 1970s. Now 83 years old, an international fashion brand has just launched a collection inspired by her brightly coloured style.
The dots on Kusama’s prints are hardly robotic repeated patterns. They fill in what could have been shade and shadow.
Dancing Pumpkins ダンス カボチャ (dansu kabocha) by Yayoi Kusama
The infinity nets, as she calls them, are cleverly connected. They can even form a complicated 3D-like depth, somewhat like the 3D posters that were once very popular despite few people being able to see beyond the 2D.
Disappointment 失意 (shitsui) by Yayoi Kusama
Damien Hirst is best known for creating controversy with his “cadaver collection”. His spot prints seem to mock you but few would know they are named after pharmaceutical drugs.
Key Spot Print by Damien Hirst
Kusama and Hirst art works may have been exhibited at major museums around the world, but decide for yourself. Although we did not compare dot with dot, spot with spot, a quick comparison with a major Asian city showed that the carry-sized prints currently available in Singapore are surprisingly, relatively accessible. We may just be able to afford a little red dot. Browse through our Artitute photo album for this exhibition. Find out more about Kusama at the free talk on Sat 28 Jul 12.
However, if you prefer to keep your thousands for Singapore art, you are welcome to do so.
Exhibition: Spots & Dots – Damien Hirst and Yayoi Kusama
When: 4 Jul to 4 Sep 2012, Tue-Sat: 11:30am-6:30pm, Sun 12-5pm, closed on Mon
Where: Pop and Contemporary Fine Art, Palais Renaissance, 390 Orchard Road, #03-12
