Lot 375: “Pumpkin” – Yayoi Kusama (b. 1929).
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“Pumpkin” – Yayoi Kusama (b. 1929).
A striking painting by Yayoi Kusama, featuring her iconic pumpkin motif executed in vibrant yellow and black, oil on canvas. The composition is adorned with her signature polka-dot patterning, where rhythmic dots cover both the pumpkin form and the textured background, creating a hypnotic visual effect. The organic curves of the pumpkin contrast with the structured repetition of the dots.
Yayoi Kusama (b. 1929) is one of the most celebrated and influential contemporary artists in the world, renowned for her pioneering work across painting, sculpture, installation, performance, and fashion. Often called the “Princess of Polka Dots, ” her practice is defined by the obsessive use of repeating patterns, especially dots and nets, as well as her iconic pumpkin motifs, which have become symbols of her artistic identity. Kusama emerged in the 1960s New York avant-garde, exhibiting alongside Andy Warhol and Claes Oldenburg, and was a key figure in the development of Pop Art, Minimalism, and performance art. Her immersive installations, such as the Infinity Mirror Rooms, revolutionized the experience of art by enveloping viewers in boundless fields of light and reflection. Kusama has been the subject of major retrospectives at leading institutions worldwide, including the Tate Modern, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the National Art Center in Tokyo, and her works regularly set records at international auctions. Despite personal struggles with mental health, she has built one of the most prolific and enduring careers of the 20th and 21st centuries, securing her legacy as a visionary who redefined the possibilities of contemporary art.
Approximately 58 x 58cm
Provenance: Private collection from a distinguished W London lady
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