Yayoi Kusama - (Phaidon Contemporary Artists) by Akira Tatehata & Laura Hoptman & Udo Kultermann & Catherine Taft (Hardcover)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

An updated edition of the acclaimed monograph, celebrating one of the most iconic and revolutionary artists of our time.

"Yayoi Kusama transcended the art world to become a fixture of popular culture, in a league with Andy Warhol, David Hockney, and Keith Haring." --The New York Times

Kusama is internationally renowned for her groundbreaking work on themes such as infinity, self-image, sexuality, and compulsive repetition. A well-known name in the Manhattan scene of the 1960s, Kusama's subsequent work combined Psychedelia and Pop culture with patterning, often resulting in participatory installations and series of paintings. This revised and expanded edition of the 2000 monograph, which is arguably still one of the most comprehensive studies on her work to date, has been augmented by an essay by Catherine Taft and a collection of new poems by the artist.

Review Quotes

"When people look back at Kusama's work decades from now, they'll see that her idea of creation and infinity has an eternal endurance." --Marc Jacobs

"The effect of Kusama's work is both so complex and simple. It is produced by the interaction of the two close somewhat parallel planes, at points merging at the surface and at others diverging slightly but powerfully." --Donald Judd

"Yayoi Kusama comes with a pedigree of film and orchestrated happenings and performance in New York during the 1960s and the 1970s that was every bit as avant-garde as Warhol."--The Art Review Power 100

"Yayoi Kusama is as close as one can get to being called a legend while alive... This updated monograph is richly illustrated and serves as as an unparalleled guide to the work of one the most eccentric artists alive."--Mint (India)

"One of the most iconic and revolutionary artists of our time, internationally renowned for her boundary-pushing work on themes such as infinity, self-image, sexuality and compulsive repetition... Kusama's ability to communicate her artistic vision through various mediums is explored and documented."--CreativeBoom.com

"Still one of the most comprehensive studies of this intriguing artist [...] allows readers to traverse from 'Happenings' in 1960s New York through to Kusama's current work, which encompasses diverse media from paintings to sculpture. And, for the first time, a collection of poems by Kusama are published to accompany the colourful illustrations, compelling essays and interviews by curators and critics."--TheCultureTrip.com

"Enjoy the artist's boundary-pushing work in this comprehensive and colourful book."--The Glossary

"Filled with visual treasures... Now includes poems by the artist."--Harper's Bazaar

"Celebrates the boundary-breaking work of the 88-year old who still captures the imagination of the art world and beyond, reflecting her uncanny ability to remain in the spotlight." --House & Garden

"Richly illustrated... Explores Kusama's varied career to the present, through informative essays written from diverse scholarly and critical perspectives, as well as interviews with the artist, and selections from her lively poetry and fiction."--The British Museum Magazine

"A fascinating artist."--Visi (South Africa)

"A dose of inspiration (that also looks good on the coffee table)."--Vogue Online

About the Author

Akira Tatehata is a poet and art critic who has been awarded the 2005 Takami Jun Award for Literature.

Laura Hoptman is a curator at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Udo Kultermann was a curator and art historian who taught at Washington University in St. Louis.

Catherine Taft is deputy director of LAXART in Los Angeles.