When I was a child, I used to paint intently. The older I become, and the closer death approaches, the brighter my life gets day by day.
Yayoi KusamaRead
A polka-dot has the form of the sun, which is a symbol of the energy of the whole world and our living life, and also the form of the moon, which is calm. Round, soft, colourful, senseless and unknowing. Polka-dots can't stay alone; like the communicative life of people, two or three polka-dots become movement... Polka-dots are a way to infinity.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects on the interconnectedness of life and the artistic expression of polka dots as symbols of energy and communication.
Yayoi Kusama uses polka dots as a metaphor for the elements of life and connection. She describes how these colorful shapes embody the energetic aspects of the sun and the calmness of the moon, suggesting that just as polka dots cannot exist in isolation, human relationships thrive on communication and connection. The imagery of polka dots represents both individuality and unity, suggesting a movement toward infinity that signifies a deeper understanding of existence and human experience.
Themes
Polka DotsArtEnergyLifeConnectionCommunication
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the importance of creativity, one might reference Kusama's quote to emphasize the significance of community in artistic expression.
More from Yayoi Kusama
All quotes →The thought of continually eating something like macaroni, spat out by machinery, fills me with fear and revulsion, so I make macaroni sculptures. I make them and make them and then keep on making them, until I bury myself in the process. I call this 'obliteration.'
Yayoi KusamaRead
It doesn't matter at all for me that I work in hospital or anywhere with limited space. Every day, I'm creating new works with all my might.
Yayoi KusamaRead
You should create a work that is so valuable it might eventually sell at a high price, but you've got to concentrate on how you create that artwork.
Yayoi KusamaRead
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