The Western Plains Cultural Centre in Dubbo will be the exclusive home to an immersive installation from acclaimed 95-year-old Japanese artist, Yayoi Kusama for the next two years, from this November.
Kusama, who is best known for her polka-dots and mirrored infinity rooms was recently featured at the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne.
Over the course of her 60-year career, Yayoi Kusama has engaged with an expansive idea of space and the human body. She uses several recurring motifs – dots, eyes, nets and pumpkins – to investigate repetition and to create sensory experiences that hint at the infinite.
“It is very exciting the Western Plains Cultural Centre will be the home for Yayoi Kusama’s installation. The scale and notoriety of the project will have a major impact making it a must see for the people from the surrounding regions,” said Dubbo Regional Council Mayor, Josh Black.
“This installation will no doubt bring visitors to the Dubbo Region who will come to see this unique artwork. There will be programs offered for schools in the region and the general public to get involved in.”
THE SPIRITS OF THE PUMPKINS DESCENDED INTO THE HEAVENS, 2017 is an installation comprising a vibrant yellow room overrun with black polka dots of various sizes. At its centre is a mirrored box, inside which are several dozen illuminated pumpkin sculptures that can be seen through a window. The pumpkins, endlessly reflected in the room’s internal mirrors, are also vivid yellow and adorned with dots. The dazzling combination of dots, mirrors and pumpkins creates an optical illusion – a sensation of infinite space and colour.
This work of art is on long term loan from the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, with support from the Australian Government as part of Sharing the National Collection.
“Being able to access the National Gallery’s collection on a long-term loan provides regional galleries like the Western Plains Cultural Centre the opportunity to showcase significant works of art, and high-profile international artists right here in the Central West of NSW,” Dubbo Regional Council Arts and Culture Manager, Jessica Moore said.
“This installation is by one of the most high-profile artists the Western Plains Cultural Centre has showcased, and we are looking forward to sharing it with our audience,” Ms Moore said.
