1. Yayoi Kusama
Miss V

2. Yayoi Kusama was born on March 22, 1929 in MATSUMOTO City, JAPAN
Yayoi Kusama was born on March 22, 1929 in MATSUMOTO City, JAPAN. She became interested in art at a very early age. As a young girl she drew while sitting in her family’s seed harvesting grounds. And became fascinated with putting POLKA-DOTS in her artwork when she was 10 years old and studied NIHONGA 
painting, a rigorous formal style developed during the MEIJI period (1868–1912).
Illustration by Kylle Platts/ Information from: Retrieved
Information also from: Retrieved
Information also from: Retrieved

3. In 1958 Kusama left Japan and moved to NEW YORK CITY, where she had a very successful career. She was even considered to be ANDY WARHOL’s “friendly rival” in the 1960’s. He was a popular POP ARTist known for his unique style. Many people believed that Warhol was heavily influenced by Kusama. She worked as a painter, sculptor and performance artist.
Illustration by Kylle Platts/ Information from: Retrieved
Information also from: Retrieved
Information also found at: Retrieved
Information also from: Retrieved

4. Kusama would often have visions of everything around her covered in PATTERNs. She incorporates many of the art element of pattern in her work and has even been referred to as the “POLKA-DOT QUEEN.” Kusama says that she incorporates polka-dots so frequently in her work is because the EARTH, MOON, SUN and HUMAN BEINGS can all be represented by them. They are all “a single particle among billions.”
Illustration by Kylle Platts/ Information from: Retrieved
Information also from: Retrieved
Information also from: Retrieved

5. In the early 1970’s Kusama moved back to Japan where she still lives and works today. Aside from her painting, sculptures and performance art she began working as a writer, producing NOVELS, SHORT STORIES and POETRY.
Illustration by Kylle Platts/ Information from: Retrieved
Information also from: Retrieved

6. THINK YOU KNOW KUSAMA?

7. Yayoi Kusama: How Old is She?
If Kusama was born in 1929 and is still alive today, how old is she?
Young image from: Retrieved
Old Image from: Retrieved

8. Yayoi Kusama
Number Image from: Retrieved

9. WHAT CITY WAS KUSAMA BORN IN?

10. MATSUMOTO CITY Yayoi Kusama
Map from: Retrieved

11. WHAT COUNTRY IS MASUMOTO LOCATED IN?

12. JAPAN Yayoi Kusama Kusama is here! You are here!
Map from: Retrieved

13. WHAT WAS THE TYPE OF PAINTING KUSAMA STUDIED?

14. NIHONGA developed during the MEIJI period
Yayoi Kusama
NIHONGA developed during the MEIJI period
Images from: Retrieved

15. WHEN KUSAMA LIVED IN NYC WHO WAS HER FRIENDLY RIVAL?

16. ANDY WARHOL a poplar pop artist
Yayoi Kusama
ANDY WARHOL a poplar pop artist
Marilyn Monroe painting from: Retrieved

17. WHAT ELEMENT OF ART DOES KUSAMA USE IN HER ART?

18. Yayoi Kusama
PATTERN
Images from: and Retrieved:

19. WHAT IS PATTERN?

20. Pattern: A repeated form or design
Yayoi Kusama
Pattern: A repeated form or design
Definition from: Retrieved
Patterns from: and Retrieved

21. KUSAMA IS CALLED THE QUEEN OF WHAT?

22. Polka-Dots Yayoi Kusama
Images from: and and Retrieved

23. LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF HER WORK

24. Yayoi Kusama: Sculptures
Images from: and and Retrieved

25. Yayoi Kusama: Paintings
Images from: and and and Retrieved

26. Yayoi Kusama: Fashion
Images from: and Retrieved

27. Yayoi Kusama: Celebrity Work
Image from: Retrieved

28. Yayoi Kusama: Let’s Watch Her Work
Image from: Retrieved

29. NOW IT’S YOUR TURN!

30. Yayoi Kusama: What Are we Doing?
Each student will construct their own paper mache sculpture in the style of Yayoi Kusama.
Image from: Retrieved

31. Yayoi Kusama: Materials List
Each student will need:
Between 3 and 5 balloons
8x8 cardboard square
Masking tape
Paper towels
Watered down glue
Paint brushes
Assorted paint colors

32. Yayoi Kusama: Assessment Name:______________________________________________ Date___________________ Block:_______________
Answer the following questions by filling in the blank space provided with the correct answer.
1.Yayoi Kusama was born in what
year?_________
2. She is how old?___________
3. What city was she born in?_________
4. What country is that city located
in?_______________
5. What was the type of painting did
Kusama study? ____________
6. Kusama moved to what major U.S city?
_____________
7. Who was her “friendly rival?”____________
8. What art element does she use most in her
work?_____________
9. Kusama is called the Queen
of what?________________
10. Andy Warhol is what kind of
artist?_______________
11. When she was 10 years old she began
putting what in her artwork? ___________
12. She believes polka-dots can represent Earth,
moon, sun and what?_______________
13. In the 1970’s Kusama moved
where?___________
14. She also writes short stories, novels and
what? __________________
15. A repeated form or design is known as what?
_____________
16. Nihonga began in what period?______________
17. Name one form of art Kusama
creates?__________
18. What year did Kusama move to America?_________
19. As a child, her family lived on what kind of grounds?
__________
20. Is Kusama still working today?___________

33. Yayoi Kusama: Pattern Rationale
For this lesson students will be learning about pattern through the works of Yayoi Kusama. She is inspired by polka-dots and uses them frequently throughout her work. Students will create a sculpture in the style of Kusama and paint it with their own pattern and design.