Shoes (Kusama 30), 1984

Celebrated for her liberal and multi-faceted approach to creation, Yayoi Kusama was a prominent artist who worked primarily across the mediums of installation and sculpture, as well as performance, poetry and painting. Kusama developed a distinctive style, with works spanning minimalism, surrealism, conceptual art and abstract expression.

Among Kusama's acclaimed works was Grand Orgy to Awaken the Dead, one of many highly public happenings in which naked participants were covered in brightly coloured polka dots. These dots, together with the theme of infinity, became signature traits of her art. Kusama commented on the repetitive nature of her creative practice and described herself as an “obsessive artist.”

Kusama counted fellow artists Eva Hesse and Donald Judd among her close friends and influences, while her work also inspired artists including Andy Warhol and contributed to the development of Pop Art. (Artist website)