yayoi kusama museum, tokyo (favourite things #158)

Yayoi Kusama museum, Tokyo (Favourite Things #158)

Artist's notes on style, materials and inspiration:

Opened in 2017, the Yayoi Kusama Museum is run by the Yayoi Kusama Foundation, which shows work from its large collection of her archive in two different exhibitions each year. The five storey building designed by architectural firm Kume Sekkei looks a lot like a modern lantern, especially when lit up at dusk. Each floor is quite compact, and care has been taken to allow her work to sit in each space with minimal distraction. The entrance space has a glass wall covered in a dot pattern and large inflatable shapes, which vary in colour depending on the exhibition.

This wood girl is dressed up as the museum - with dotty glass wall and pink dotty shapes seen through the windows - one pink ball has escaped and can be seen outside the building. Her hair is the signature red bob sported by Yayoi Kusama and on her head is a yellow Kusama pumpkin.

My 'favourite things' wood girl series share the places and things I love, a favourite motif, object or theme, or are inspired by a microseason. Turned from yellow poplar by a production wood turner in the UK to my designs, then added to and painted by me, a British artist. They are finished in a clear matt acrylic protective top coat.

Favourite Things girls are numbered on the base, this one is #158.

This girl is approximately 26.5cm in height.

My pieces are painted in a naïve and simple style, with visible brush strokes and differing paint consistencies. It is important to note that these dolls are made from real wood which will have naturally occurring markings and grain, and sometimes there will be small amount of bleeding along the grain, or knots, which is to be expected when using untreated wood - please make sure you consult the pictures carefully before purchasing.

PLEASE NOTE: This is not a toy and should be kept out of reach of children. Wood girls should be kept away from water which can damage the wood and painted surface, and also away from direct heat/ sunlight which also can affect the surface colour and the timber itself.