By Hsiao Yu, a Taitung Hakka writer with roots in Nantou's Guoxing Hakka community
From December 21, 2024 to May 4, 2025, the National Taipei University of Education's MoNTUE will host the spectacular annual exhibition "Yayoi Kusama: Traces and Miracles — W Collection & More 1951-2005" — a mesmerizing journey through the legendary artist's creative evolution.
The Polka-Dotted Universe of a Visionary
At 96 years old, Yayoi Kusama stands as one of contemporary art's most iconic figures. Though trained in traditional Japanese painting, she shattered conventional forms to develop a unique visual language pulsating with personal history. Her multidisciplinary practice spans:
- Paintings with hypnotic patterns
- Collages that reconstruct reality
- Performance art challenging social norms
- Large-scale installations transforming spaces
- Fashion collaborations bursting with psychedelic colors
👉 Explore Kusama's groundbreaking works
Four Chapters of a Creative Odyssey
This exhibition presents 70 works across four thematic sections, drawn from the prestigious W Collection and inspired by Japan's Aomori Museum of Art:
1. "Dot · Origin" (Third Floor)
Retrace Kusama's artistic genesis through:
- Early polka dot experiments
- Japanese-style nature paintings
- Rare 1950s works "Dot" and "Self-Portrait"
2. "Love Forever" (Basement)
Enter Kusama's radical 1960s phase featuring:
- The seminal "Driving Image" net installation
- Provocative performance documentation
- Never-before-exhibited costumes
Note: Some video content has age restrictions.
3. "Kusama's Hibernation"
Witness the artist's transformative 1970s-80s period through:
- Emotionally charged collages like "Dream Sinks into the Sea"
- The haunting "Forest" and "Sea Bottom" series
4. "Kusama's Blossoming"
Celebrate her late-career renaissance with:
- Vibrant floral sculptures
- The "Eternal Return" soft installation
- Photographic explorations of infinite spaces
Taiwan Connection: A 1998 Milestone
Kusama's relationship with Taiwan began when she created "Obsessional Dot" for the Taipei Biennial — seven fluorescent pink balloons dominating the museum atrium. This marked her pivotal shift into large-scale public art.
The Philosophy Behind the Dots
Kusama's compulsive repetitions represent more than aesthetic choices:
- Psychological landscapes: Visualizations of her hallucinations
- Cosmic unity: Everything as interconnected dots in an infinite net
- Self-obliteration: Merging identity with the universe
"I want to bask in life's radiant sunlight, living infinitely until my journey's end."
— Excerpt from "Yayoi Kusama's Message of Love"
FAQs: Understanding Kusama's World
Q: Why does Kusama use so many dots?
A: The polka dots reflect her neurological condition's visual hallucinations while symbolizing infinite cosmic connections.
Q: What's significant about the 1951-2005 period?
A: These decades showcase her evolution from avant-garde rebel to internationally celebrated artist.
Q: How did Taiwan influence her work?
A: Her 1998 Taipei installation marked a turning point in large-scale public art engagement.
👉 Discover more about visionary artists
Exhibition Essentials
- Venue: MoNTUE, Taipei
- Duration: 12/21/2024–05/04/2025
- Featured: 70 works across 4 thematic zones
- Highlight: Recreated "Obsessional Dot" installation
This exhibition isn't just a retrospective — it's an invitation to experience how Kusama transformed personal struggles into universal artistic miracles through relentless creative traces.