The Exhibition: Kazuma
Where; The National Gallery, Victoria
Until 21 April
Financial Outlay: $38
Stars: 5
I'd never hear anything about Yayoi Kazuma until a few years ago. Since then, she's become one of my most favourite modern artists. Iconoclastic, bonkers, fun, very dotty, Kazuma is the high priestess of polka dots and pumpkins, who can happily take you into other worlds with her works. And Melbourne has gone a bit nuts for Kazuma, wrapping the trees in polka dot material.
Kazuma is great fun. And accessible. And suitable for all ages. With a couple of small exceptions in the first bit of the gallery, almost all of the exhibition is suitable for children of all ages.
I gathered my old colleague EJ and his wife, and we met at the NGV early. This was a good move. Although busy, the exhibition didn't feel rushed or too busy. By the time I left the gallery around one, people were queuing to get into both areas of the exhibition. Regardless, we got to bear witness to this fantastic exhibition without having to wait for too long to get to see some of the exhibits.
Yayoi Kazuma is 95-years-old and she has been producing art for most of this time. She's Japanese, but lived in New York in the 60's, being a part of the hippy movement, amongst other things. This exhibition provides a great retrospective of her work.
What I love about her is her infinity spaces. I've been lucky enough to see some of her works in Adelaide and London, and these works are not in Melbourne. EJ and Kit went into this blind, and were blown away by the works. We talked a lot about how art doesn't just have to be a painting on the wall.
For those who say they don't like Modern Art, I'd say that Yayoi Kazuma is a great gateway into this strange and wonderful world. Like the Ai Wei Wei and Warhol exhibition from a few years ago, I will still be thinking about this one, with its riot of polka dots, pumpkins, silver spheres and chandeliers.
She's even taken over the Great Hall.
The optical illusions, found mainly in the second half of the exhibition are mind blowing. And great fun. I was wonderful to watch children interact this these pieces. Also watching EJ and Kit move about taking in all that was going on was great too. They came to this on my recommendation and loved it.
I can't recommend this highly enough. Yayoi Kazuma is bonkers, brave, great fun and accessible. It's on at the NGV until 21 April. If you can, go early on a weekday so you can get the space to yourself.
You can thank me later.
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