Women in Art History: Yayoi Kusama

Yayoi Kusama is one of the world's most successful living artists. Her work influenced, and was then overshadowed by, Andy Warhol, Claes Oldenburg and much of the dominant art establishment of the 1960s and 1970s.

Kusama has been open about her mental health and has resided since the 1970s in a Japanese mental health facility. "I fight pain, anxiety, and fear every day, and the only method I have found that relieved my illness is to keep creating art," she has said. "I followed the thread of art and somehow discovered a path that would allow me to live." In this community-building discussion, we will talk about Kusama's life and work, and draw inspiration from how she uses art to renew and invigorate her life. No previous experience with art history or art making is needed. Bring a notebook and a sketchbook, along with your curiosity.