A Closer Look: Episode 17 - Yayoi Kusama’s polka dot pumpkins
Yayoi Kusama is the world's most successful female artist, and at the time of writing is still breaking the internet at age 90.
We probably all know and love her joyous, polka-dotted artworks: but what makes them more than a selfie opportunity? Why were so many people around the world devastated when her spotted Naoshima pumpkin was swept away by wild seas, and then so overjoyed when a replica was reinstalled in its place?
In this episode of A Closer Look, Dr Nick Gordon charts the life and career trajectories of Yayoi Kusama, and makes the case for the skill and insight needed to move the needle on a viewer's emotional experience - as Kusama's work so often does.
NICK GORDON
Nick Gordon is a cultural historian with a University Medal and PhD from the University of Sydney, and significant expertise designing modern and contemporary art-focused tours to Western Europe, Asia and Australasia. He is also a practising artist.
Kathleen Olive
Kathleen is one of Australia’s best-known cultural tour leaders, with over fifteen years’ experience leading tours to Western Europe, North America, Australasia and Japan.
