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Kusama: The Graphic Novel
From rural Japan to international icon – Yayoi Kusama has spent her remarkable life immersed in her art.
Follow her incredible journey in this vivid graphic biography which details her bold departure from Japan as a young artist, her embrace of the buzzing New York art scene in the 1960s, and her eventual return home and rise to twenty-first century super-fame.
Follow her incredible journey in this vivid graphic biography which details her bold departure from Japan as a young artist, her embrace of the buzzing New York art scene in the 1960s, and her eventual return home and rise to twenty-first century super-fame.
128 pages, Hardcover
First published March 18, 2020
19 people are currently reading
2653 people want to read
About the author
Elisa Macellari
19 books40 followersElisa Macellari is a Thai-Italian illustrator. Her clients include The New York Times, Corriere della Sera, Mondadori, Feltrinelli, and Nobrow Press. Her first graphic novel, Papaya Salad (2018), has been published in Italian, French, Spanish and English.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 448 reviews
September 12, 2020
"You see these empty hands? One day they'll hold everything I want."
I did four years as an art major, and never once heard the name Yayoi Kusama.
That's a crying shame, 'cause she's had a fascinating life. She hung out with Dali and Warhol, created installations, and even staged a few orgies - in the name of art, of course, as she was personally disgusted by sex. But, oh, she had inner demons that drove her to create, an issue that this graphic novel explores quite beautifully.
Macellari follows Kusama from her unhappy girlhood in Japan, through her rise to fame in sixties, to the current day. (The artist is now 91.) It's a fascinating look at both the art world and mental illness, and the artwork is stunning. I love the limited palette, and the repeating patterns.
This book is a work of art in itself.
*Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for a glance at this lovely title.
I did four years as an art major, and never once heard the name Yayoi Kusama.
That's a crying shame, 'cause she's had a fascinating life. She hung out with Dali and Warhol, created installations, and even staged a few orgies - in the name of art, of course, as she was personally disgusted by sex. But, oh, she had inner demons that drove her to create, an issue that this graphic novel explores quite beautifully.
Macellari follows Kusama from her unhappy girlhood in Japan, through her rise to fame in sixties, to the current day. (The artist is now 91.) It's a fascinating look at both the art world and mental illness, and the artwork is stunning. I love the limited palette, and the repeating patterns.
This book is a work of art in itself.
*Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for a glance at this lovely title.
December 17, 2022
(Yayoi) Kusama is a Japanese pop artist who lived and worked in both New York and Tokyo. As of 2022 she is 93, living in a psychiatric institution in Japan, where she voluntarily admitted herself in 1977. She was as well known and influential in the sixties as her friend Andy Warhol. Her closest friend may have been the artist Joseph Cornell. She was psychologically abused by her mother, the trauma from which she may never have fully recovered from.
Kusama was fascinated by bright, happy colors, did a lot of work around something she knew little about, apparently: Sex. She organized body-painting "happenings" and other kinds of performance art events. She used art to rebel against her parents, to try to heal herself, and to try and get famous, all of which worked/works for her on many levels. She is known for her efforts in "outsider" fashion, especially clothes with dots. She designed clothes for public orgies of various kinds. Go ahead! Look it up! Mostly performance art work, as I recall.
This book is well done, beautifully illustrated and produced, a graphic biography by Elisa Macellari that introduces new generations to her work, which I think could really inspire some young artists. Just by coincidence I also this week read Autumn by Ali Smith, which resuscitates another sixties pop artist, Pauline Doty. Women who may not have gotten the credit others (men) who were doing similar experimental work at the time, big surprise.
Here's an award-winning experimental film (maybe 23 minutes) from 1967, The Obliteration of Kusama, that I think I actually saw in the mid seventies:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fb2P8...
Some representative artwork from Kusama:
https://www.google.com/search?q=kusam...
Kusama was fascinated by bright, happy colors, did a lot of work around something she knew little about, apparently: Sex. She organized body-painting "happenings" and other kinds of performance art events. She used art to rebel against her parents, to try to heal herself, and to try and get famous, all of which worked/works for her on many levels. She is known for her efforts in "outsider" fashion, especially clothes with dots. She designed clothes for public orgies of various kinds. Go ahead! Look it up! Mostly performance art work, as I recall.
This book is well done, beautifully illustrated and produced, a graphic biography by Elisa Macellari that introduces new generations to her work, which I think could really inspire some young artists. Just by coincidence I also this week read Autumn by Ali Smith, which resuscitates another sixties pop artist, Pauline Doty. Women who may not have gotten the credit others (men) who were doing similar experimental work at the time, big surprise.
Here's an award-winning experimental film (maybe 23 minutes) from 1967, The Obliteration of Kusama, that I think I actually saw in the mid seventies:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fb2P8...
Some representative artwork from Kusama:
https://www.google.com/search?q=kusam...
February 12, 2023
I know the struggle is real.
The more your family, especially when it's your parents, when they are against what you live for.
When you have your dreams pushing you to love more and work more and achieve more;
When no one dear and close to you are the worse mortal enemies no one sees;
When you actually suffer every waking moment of your life when you struggle with being yourself;
Mental health, identity, being born as a woman, a profession taken to be as men's - all these issues are represented and illustrated quite well.
I would not allow myself to judge what artists do what they do for their work as their work as they art.
I would not judge an artist for their life or their personal relationships.
An amazingly done biographical book.
Dark and sad but captivating!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
The more your family, especially when it's your parents, when they are against what you live for.
When you have your dreams pushing you to love more and work more and achieve more;
When no one dear and close to you are the worse mortal enemies no one sees;
When you actually suffer every waking moment of your life when you struggle with being yourself;
Mental health, identity, being born as a woman, a profession taken to be as men's - all these issues are represented and illustrated quite well.
I would not allow myself to judge what artists do what they do for their work as their work as they art.
I would not judge an artist for their life or their personal relationships.
An amazingly done biographical book.
Dark and sad but captivating!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
July 1, 2020
I have to confess I had never heard of the artist Yayoi Kusama, which probably says a lot about how people of colour are still systematically "forgotten" in art history.
Kusama was quite a prolific artist in the 60s in New York, giving her whole life over to her art, which basically was a way to subdue her mental health issues. During the 70s she moved back to her country of birth, Japan, and basically was forgotten about until the late 80s.
This biographical graphic novel (biogravel?) tells her story, in exquisite, fine art. Sometimes the integration of an artist's art into a graphic novel can be clumsy - that is not the case here, where the book's art and Kusama's art easily flow into eachother.
Kusama's story is very moving, and her mental health problems are depicted with a lot of care.
I'm still shocked at the thought that someone like her has managed to slip through history's net. Read this book.
(Received an ARC through Edelweiss)
Kusama was quite a prolific artist in the 60s in New York, giving her whole life over to her art, which basically was a way to subdue her mental health issues. During the 70s she moved back to her country of birth, Japan, and basically was forgotten about until the late 80s.
This biographical graphic novel (biogravel?) tells her story, in exquisite, fine art. Sometimes the integration of an artist's art into a graphic novel can be clumsy - that is not the case here, where the book's art and Kusama's art easily flow into eachother.
Kusama's story is very moving, and her mental health problems are depicted with a lot of care.
I'm still shocked at the thought that someone like her has managed to slip through history's net. Read this book.
(Received an ARC through Edelweiss)
February 8, 2021
Simply beautiful even if very short.
March 28, 2021
Kusama was a magical and visually-enriching read which left me wanting more.
I must admit my ignorance first of all as I wasn't aware of this incredibly talented Japanese artist beforehand :( but since then I have been reading more about Yayoi Kusama's life and her artwork which is stunning!
This graphic novel depicts Kusama's life as a child through to the height of her fame in USA where her fans included Dali and Warhol, and afterwards when she returned to Japan after her health declined. Despite the artwork being a glorious feast for the senses, this work discusses the artist's fragile mental health which at times is very hard to read but is ultimately beautifully handled.
Kusama is about following your dreams, pursuing your own path in life, about belonging and feeling alone, acceptance and embracing change and making the art that you want to. It's an inspiring story with vivid illustrations which sums up the equally vivid and free-spirited Yayoi Kusama!
I must admit my ignorance first of all as I wasn't aware of this incredibly talented Japanese artist beforehand :( but since then I have been reading more about Yayoi Kusama's life and her artwork which is stunning!
This graphic novel depicts Kusama's life as a child through to the height of her fame in USA where her fans included Dali and Warhol, and afterwards when she returned to Japan after her health declined. Despite the artwork being a glorious feast for the senses, this work discusses the artist's fragile mental health which at times is very hard to read but is ultimately beautifully handled.
Kusama is about following your dreams, pursuing your own path in life, about belonging and feeling alone, acceptance and embracing change and making the art that you want to. It's an inspiring story with vivid illustrations which sums up the equally vivid and free-spirited Yayoi Kusama!
August 3, 2020
2.5 rounded up
A quick read providing a brief biography of the artist. The illustrations were fun and I liked how they - and the colour scheme - took inspiration from Kusama's work, although I felt that the text itself was lacking in places and would have been better if it had been beefed up with a bit more information about her work and background.
Thank you Netgalley and Laurence King Publishing Ltd for the advance copy, which was provided in exchange for an honest review.
A quick read providing a brief biography of the artist. The illustrations were fun and I liked how they - and the colour scheme - took inspiration from Kusama's work, although I felt that the text itself was lacking in places and would have been better if it had been beefed up with a bit more information about her work and background.
Thank you Netgalley and Laurence King Publishing Ltd for the advance copy, which was provided in exchange for an honest review.
April 19, 2023
Kusama’nın hayatını kapsamlı bir şekilde ele almasa da temel bir giriş için oldukça güzel bir başlangıç. Özellikle de çizimlerinde kendi stilini yansıtmasını çok sevdim.
May 9, 2021
www.instagram.com/miciausknygos
www.facebook.com/miciausknygos
#110
Faina, bet labai plona knyga apie japonų menininkę Kusamą. Pasakojama apie jos vaikystę ir tolimesnius kūrybos metus. Skaitėsi lengvai, iliustracijos nuostabios, kaip ir priklauso daug burbuliukų ir raudonos spalvos.
www.facebook.com/miciausknygos
#110
Faina, bet labai plona knyga apie japonų menininkę Kusamą. Pasakojama apie jos vaikystę ir tolimesnius kūrybos metus. Skaitėsi lengvai, iliustracijos nuostabios, kaip ir priklauso daug burbuliukų ir raudonos spalvos.
August 8, 2020
Way back in December, before all of this COVID-19 stuff started, I took the kids to visit an installation by Kusama at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston. It as an immersive experience where you were broken into small groups and stepped into a mirrored room full of polka dot protrusions. Amazing stuff.
So, when I saw that a new graphic biography of the artist was being released I decided to check it out. Yayoi Kusama was born in Japan and moved to the US in the late 1950's to pursue her art career. For most of her life she had experienced psychiatric issues and some of this obviously had some impact on her art. She was a contemporary with Warhol in NYC and her provocative art sometimes included performance pieces featuring naked models on the streets of New York.
This is a great read for anyone interested in Kusama or in art in general. The art work is in a limited color palette featuring primarily reds and turquoises and is stunning. The books starts out with a style more similar to classical Japanese art and shifts to be more of Kusama's own unique style as the book progresses.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy!
So, when I saw that a new graphic biography of the artist was being released I decided to check it out. Yayoi Kusama was born in Japan and moved to the US in the late 1950's to pursue her art career. For most of her life she had experienced psychiatric issues and some of this obviously had some impact on her art. She was a contemporary with Warhol in NYC and her provocative art sometimes included performance pieces featuring naked models on the streets of New York.
This is a great read for anyone interested in Kusama or in art in general. The art work is in a limited color palette featuring primarily reds and turquoises and is stunning. The books starts out with a style more similar to classical Japanese art and shifts to be more of Kusama's own unique style as the book progresses.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy!
August 17, 2020
3.5 ⭐️
Following the prolific Yayoi Kusama from birth to old age, we see her struggling with breaking free of the confines of Japanese normality. At young she is discouraged from pursuing art by her parents but her love for art transcends all. Her longest relationship is with art and has always been in the forefront in her life. We follow her life through her successes and personal hardships. We see her struggling with battle with mental illness which I thought was some wonderfully.
The art in this graphic novel was beautiful and really embodies Kusama‘s essence. The colours did a great job converting her inner feeling. We can see a change in colour palette from her childhood to adulthood in New York. As her style evolves, so does the style in the book. In the beginning the comic is confined to boxes but as it progresses it becomes more free flowing and grander, exactly like Kasuma. I would give the art a 5/5.
I would recommend this to anyone who has an interest in art or the artist.
Following the prolific Yayoi Kusama from birth to old age, we see her struggling with breaking free of the confines of Japanese normality. At young she is discouraged from pursuing art by her parents but her love for art transcends all. Her longest relationship is with art and has always been in the forefront in her life. We follow her life through her successes and personal hardships. We see her struggling with battle with mental illness which I thought was some wonderfully.
The art in this graphic novel was beautiful and really embodies Kusama‘s essence. The colours did a great job converting her inner feeling. We can see a change in colour palette from her childhood to adulthood in New York. As her style evolves, so does the style in the book. In the beginning the comic is confined to boxes but as it progresses it becomes more free flowing and grander, exactly like Kasuma. I would give the art a 5/5.
I would recommend this to anyone who has an interest in art or the artist.
August 28, 2020
Unfortunately, I didn't have any inkling about Yayoi Kusama. Thanks, Netgalley to introduce me to such an inspiring artist's struggle.
The artwork of this book is quite fascinating and I think portrayal of her work in this book will amuse many artists. The only letdown I have felt are the texts. The plot seems unfinished and It does not give any background how Kusama had got the fame from her struggle.
Overall, it's a brief biography of Kusama with amusing artwork which you can read in almost one hour.
The artwork of this book is quite fascinating and I think portrayal of her work in this book will amuse many artists. The only letdown I have felt are the texts. The plot seems unfinished and It does not give any background how Kusama had got the fame from her struggle.
Overall, it's a brief biography of Kusama with amusing artwork which you can read in almost one hour.
November 2, 2020
thanks to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
kusama is a graphic biography of the contemporary artist yayoi kusama. we're invited into her life to learn the struggles she had to bear since she was born. starting from growing up in an extremely conservative rural japanese town, to earning her place in america, it is clear that nothing was easy for her.
kusama fought against the prejudices that dominated her era and, through her art, manifested a message of gender equality and freedom of expression. we can see how ahead of time she was with her nude performances that encouraged the exploration of sexual orientation.
besides all of that, the art from this graphic novel was excellent and did a great resemblance to kusama's real art. i recommend this to anyone who is interested in reading about her life and the battles women had to fight in the art world where men took advantage of them in order to beneficiate financially (like stealing their ideas and taking credit for their work.)
kusama is a graphic biography of the contemporary artist yayoi kusama. we're invited into her life to learn the struggles she had to bear since she was born. starting from growing up in an extremely conservative rural japanese town, to earning her place in america, it is clear that nothing was easy for her.
kusama fought against the prejudices that dominated her era and, through her art, manifested a message of gender equality and freedom of expression. we can see how ahead of time she was with her nude performances that encouraged the exploration of sexual orientation.
besides all of that, the art from this graphic novel was excellent and did a great resemblance to kusama's real art. i recommend this to anyone who is interested in reading about her life and the battles women had to fight in the art world where men took advantage of them in order to beneficiate financially (like stealing their ideas and taking credit for their work.)
March 9, 2021
I was wholly ignorant of the life and career of artist Yayoi Kusama before picking up this book from the library. Because of the "Graphic Novel" subtitle, I actually thought I was getting a work of fiction, not biographical. So no, despite the cover image, this is not a reboot of Richie Rich's pal, Little Dot.
Macellari glides through Kusama's life, from her childhood in Japan to her artistic development and peak during a stay in the U.S.A. in the 1960s and '70s, when she hangs with Andy Warhol and Salvador Dali, pushing boundaries with her phallic sculptures, installation pieces, and the nudity and sexuality of the performance art pieces she directed. The focus is on Kusama's work, with vague mention of the mental health issues that led to her dropping out of the spotlight upon her return to Japan, where she has spent decades living in a hospital while continuing to produce art and attending periodic revivals of her work.
I'm left tantalized if unsatisfied, but I'm happy for the introduction to this fascinating individual.
Macellari glides through Kusama's life, from her childhood in Japan to her artistic development and peak during a stay in the U.S.A. in the 1960s and '70s, when she hangs with Andy Warhol and Salvador Dali, pushing boundaries with her phallic sculptures, installation pieces, and the nudity and sexuality of the performance art pieces she directed. The focus is on Kusama's work, with vague mention of the mental health issues that led to her dropping out of the spotlight upon her return to Japan, where she has spent decades living in a hospital while continuing to produce art and attending periodic revivals of her work.
I'm left tantalized if unsatisfied, but I'm happy for the introduction to this fascinating individual.
March 24, 2021
Translated from the Italian by Edward Fortes.
This YA graphic biography is about the life and art of Yayoi Kusama. We are introduced to the young Kusama in Japan, learn about her move to the US, her creative endeavors, and her rise to being a successful artist.
I knew nothing about the artist, so this comic was a really good introduction to her life and work. Once I saw some of her art, I realized that I have seen her work in various exhibitions, though did not connect the dots (ha!) until reading this book. The illustrations are good, and you get a good sense of Kusama's creative spirit. I plan on finding a biography/documentary to learn more.
You can see my video review here: https://youtu.be/DbRvPtp0CMI
This YA graphic biography is about the life and art of Yayoi Kusama. We are introduced to the young Kusama in Japan, learn about her move to the US, her creative endeavors, and her rise to being a successful artist.
I knew nothing about the artist, so this comic was a really good introduction to her life and work. Once I saw some of her art, I realized that I have seen her work in various exhibitions, though did not connect the dots (ha!) until reading this book. The illustrations are good, and you get a good sense of Kusama's creative spirit. I plan on finding a biography/documentary to learn more.
You can see my video review here: https://youtu.be/DbRvPtp0CMI
February 19, 2023
عرفت عن Yayoi kusama بالصدفة من اليوتيوب بعدين قعدت ادور ع كتب عنها أو أفلام وثائقية علشان اعرف عنها اكتر ف وقع ف ايدي الكتاب ده
مبسط وبيعرض حياتها ف شكل رسومات illustrations تحفة 😍
خلصته ف جلسة واحدة وحسيت عايزه اعرفها عنها اكتر
مبسوطة اني عرفت عنها لأن فنها فعلا مميز و ف ابداع وبساطة
انصح اي حد مهتم بالفن عامة، يبص ع شغلها حتى ع اليوتيوب 😌✨
مبسط وبيعرض حياتها ف شكل رسومات illustrations تحفة 😍
خلصته ف جلسة واحدة وحسيت عايزه اعرفها عنها اكتر
مبسوطة اني عرفت عنها لأن فنها فعلا مميز و ف ابداع وبساطة
انصح اي حد مهتم بالفن عامة، يبص ع شغلها حتى ع اليوتيوب 😌✨
January 23, 2022
Doteraz ma akákoľvek vedomosť o umelkyni Kusame obchádzala, v tejto knihe je jej život dobre zhrnutý. Forma prevažuje nad obsahom, páči sa mi, že samotný komiks má nádych štýlu umenia od Kusamy, najmä v zobrazení geometrických tvarov.
January 1, 2024
First book of 2024
October 12, 2020
This version of Kusama’s life, while being more akin to a hagiography than a biography, really provided great insight into her life and the New York art scene. Unknowingly, I think the author may have even underscored the presence of Taijin kyofusho, a Japanese culture bound syndrome that is based on the intense fear that one’s body parts or functions displease , embarrass, or are offensive to others. This paired with the early events of the artist’s life gives the reader a doorway into understanding Yayoi’s art and personality on a deeper level.
I loved how the artist’s style works cohesively with that of Kusama herself, also representation of different cultures with respect to the timeline and portrayal of mental illnesses was so refreshing. I would be remiss if I didn’t recommend this artist and her work to the people around me. As is the case with most great artists, she remains severely underappreciated. To me, she was years ahead of her time, representing not only sexuality as the spectrum it is, but also using art for what it was meant to be- a way to express and deal with one’s emotions.
I loved how the artist’s style works cohesively with that of Kusama herself, also representation of different cultures with respect to the timeline and portrayal of mental illnesses was so refreshing. I would be remiss if I didn’t recommend this artist and her work to the people around me. As is the case with most great artists, she remains severely underappreciated. To me, she was years ahead of her time, representing not only sexuality as the spectrum it is, but also using art for what it was meant to be- a way to express and deal with one’s emotions.
July 15, 2021
รู้จักคุณป้า pokadot แบบผ่านๆ รู้แค่ว่าป้าเท่มาก และว้าวงานป้ามาตลอด แต่ไม่เคยลงรายละเอียดว่าทำไมป้าถึงได้เท่ และป้าทำงานว้าวๆ แบบนี้ได้ไงจนมาอ่านเล่มนี้ ขนลุกมาก เรียบเรียงเรื่องและถ่ายทอดผ่านภาพได้สุดปัง ประทับใจ
August 17, 2020
I just enjoyed reading this!
To be honest, until I finished reading this book, I wasn't familiar with the artist Yayoi Kusama and her work. But once I finished, I did look up on the internet about her work.
The author has done an amazing job in depicting Kusama's style of work. To a common admirer like me, her art is full of fun. But once I read this biography my appreciation for her work has no words especially considering the troubled imagination from which her work spawned.
Yayoi Kusama's story is classic example of- how believing in your dreams irrespective of what anyone thinks and pursuing them with hard work, will definitely lead you to the path of success.
Thank You to NetGalley and Laurence King Publishing for this ARC!
To be honest, until I finished reading this book, I wasn't familiar with the artist Yayoi Kusama and her work. But once I finished, I did look up on the internet about her work.
The author has done an amazing job in depicting Kusama's style of work. To a common admirer like me, her art is full of fun. But once I read this biography my appreciation for her work has no words especially considering the troubled imagination from which her work spawned.
Yayoi Kusama's story is classic example of- how believing in your dreams irrespective of what anyone thinks and pursuing them with hard work, will definitely lead you to the path of success.
Thank You to NetGalley and Laurence King Publishing for this ARC!
December 20, 2020
I really wanted to like this book; I've seen some of Kusama's recent aesthetically beautiful pieces (eg Infinity Mirror Rooms) and was excited to find out more. I love graphic novels and I find the medium has fresh potential for nonfiction, so I had high hopes.
Unfortunately, the book is empty. It's not very long at all (~120 pages) and while reading it I repeatedly had the feeling that I was experiencing (and I admit I cringe to write this) an illustrated Wikipedia article. The author/artist lists several sources at the end, from articles to Kusama's own autobiography, and so I would have naturally expected a deeper dive including some specifics of Kusama's life, perhaps slightly tailored to fit a narrative style, but I didn't really get any of that here. It was genuinely as though I were reading a bullet-pointed summary of Kusama's life over some art.
Elements of Kusama's life are glossed over-- the book discusses her extreme aversion to sex, but never why she feels that way, particularly when anecdotes or quotes would be most effective-- and nothing really leads into anything else. The book hints at a rivalry with Warhol when he 'steals' some of her models, but never follows up on that, leaving me unsure whether they had a large conflict in real life or nothing at all. But if nothing, why mention it...? And so on went the story.
This is a nitpick, but so much of her art was not even mentioned, let alone explained... the blurb I read purposefully called upon her 'Instagrammable' art, which would imply some attention to more recent pieces, but the book lacked even that. Of course, artists' biographies don't have to include every piece, God forbid, but if you're going to mention her most famous recent ones why wouldn't you... discuss them...?
While we're at it, the text itself switched tense often. Once it switched between past and present across a two-page spread. I feel weird even bringing this up. I really wanted to like this book, and then... all of these problems... and I leave feeling guilty for not enjoying myself, which is not how anybody wants to feel after reading a book. This review, I'll be honest, is depressing me.
I honestly don't think this book is worth reading, which is extremely unfortunate to say. It was like reading a book that had had several pages yanked out in random places: strangely contextless and lacking substance. I don't feel as though I learned much about Kusama, and though the bonus star here is for the art, the book simply doesn't have anything that makes up for what it lacks.
Unfortunately, the book is empty. It's not very long at all (~120 pages) and while reading it I repeatedly had the feeling that I was experiencing (and I admit I cringe to write this) an illustrated Wikipedia article. The author/artist lists several sources at the end, from articles to Kusama's own autobiography, and so I would have naturally expected a deeper dive including some specifics of Kusama's life, perhaps slightly tailored to fit a narrative style, but I didn't really get any of that here. It was genuinely as though I were reading a bullet-pointed summary of Kusama's life over some art.
Elements of Kusama's life are glossed over-- the book discusses her extreme aversion to sex, but never why she feels that way, particularly when anecdotes or quotes would be most effective-- and nothing really leads into anything else. The book hints at a rivalry with Warhol when he 'steals' some of her models, but never follows up on that, leaving me unsure whether they had a large conflict in real life or nothing at all. But if nothing, why mention it...? And so on went the story.
This is a nitpick, but so much of her art was not even mentioned, let alone explained... the blurb I read purposefully called upon her 'Instagrammable' art, which would imply some attention to more recent pieces, but the book lacked even that. Of course, artists' biographies don't have to include every piece, God forbid, but if you're going to mention her most famous recent ones why wouldn't you... discuss them...?
While we're at it, the text itself switched tense often. Once it switched between past and present across a two-page spread. I feel weird even bringing this up. I really wanted to like this book, and then... all of these problems... and I leave feeling guilty for not enjoying myself, which is not how anybody wants to feel after reading a book. This review, I'll be honest, is depressing me.
I honestly don't think this book is worth reading, which is extremely unfortunate to say. It was like reading a book that had had several pages yanked out in random places: strangely contextless and lacking substance. I don't feel as though I learned much about Kusama, and though the bonus star here is for the art, the book simply doesn't have anything that makes up for what it lacks.
September 15, 2020
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
I knew I had to try out this book, a graphic novel about a great artist? Sign me up. Plus, the cover was just fantastic and captured the Kusama perfectly.
This one is about mental health, about dreams, about family, about finding your way in the world, setting your own path. It was beautifully drawn, and there was also text accompanying the illustrations to tell us more and give us dialogue.
We see how Kusama lives in a strict family, a father who cheats on his wife, a mother who is horrible and mean (at least in my eyes because no parent would do the things she did). We see how Kusama hears things that aren’t there/shouldn’t talk. We see her lose herself in her art and try to make something out of it as she definitely isn’t letting her mom’s opinions take over and I loved that. I loved that she went out to find someone to get her out of the country, to free herself from the shackles of her family.
We see how her mental health affects her. I already read some about Kusama and her mental health but seeing it drawn is a total different story. I think the author did a great job on illustrating the mental health parts.
I loved seeing various other artists who knew/know Kusama, like Salvador Dali.
OK, there was one scene that had me laughing and that was when Joseph called. How in heavens name is the phone staying on her head like that? Believe me, that is not how phones work. 😛
The book was amazing and we see her from young to old, we see her whole journey and history and it while this book was just 126 pages it never felt rushed. Every part of Kusama’s history gets a spot. Wonderfully done! I would highly recommend this one.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I knew I had to try out this book, a graphic novel about a great artist? Sign me up. Plus, the cover was just fantastic and captured the Kusama perfectly.
This one is about mental health, about dreams, about family, about finding your way in the world, setting your own path. It was beautifully drawn, and there was also text accompanying the illustrations to tell us more and give us dialogue.
We see how Kusama lives in a strict family, a father who cheats on his wife, a mother who is horrible and mean (at least in my eyes because no parent would do the things she did). We see how Kusama hears things that aren’t there/shouldn’t talk. We see her lose herself in her art and try to make something out of it as she definitely isn’t letting her mom’s opinions take over and I loved that. I loved that she went out to find someone to get her out of the country, to free herself from the shackles of her family.
We see how her mental health affects her. I already read some about Kusama and her mental health but seeing it drawn is a total different story. I think the author did a great job on illustrating the mental health parts.
I loved seeing various other artists who knew/know Kusama, like Salvador Dali.
OK, there was one scene that had me laughing and that was when Joseph called. How in heavens name is the phone staying on her head like that? Believe me, that is not how phones work. 😛
The book was amazing and we see her from young to old, we see her whole journey and history and it while this book was just 126 pages it never felt rushed. Every part of Kusama’s history gets a spot. Wonderfully done! I would highly recommend this one.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
January 26, 2021
i enjoyed reading this so much!!!!! i love kusama's works and have been reading her art books for leisure + inspiration. i first got to know more about kusama back in 2019, when i had the opportunity to catch her documentary film called "kusama:infinity". i cried - was so fascinated and inspired by everything she does. so to come across its first graphic novel is SUCH A GEM and definitely brings bACK ALL THE FEELS.
when i was reading, i also thought of the people who have not really heard of kusama/not familiar with her works and how would they feel if they read this book. even though it went through most of the events that kusama went through in her life, i felt that there are more things that could have been elaborated in here so i guess this is more for readers who are just looking for a brief introduction about kusama's life. overall, i would highly recommend to watch the documentary first so that you would be able to fully appreciate elisa's illustrations and of course, kusama's incredible journey.
when i was reading, i also thought of the people who have not really heard of kusama/not familiar with her works and how would they feel if they read this book. even though it went through most of the events that kusama went through in her life, i felt that there are more things that could have been elaborated in here so i guess this is more for readers who are just looking for a brief introduction about kusama's life. overall, i would highly recommend to watch the documentary first so that you would be able to fully appreciate elisa's illustrations and of course, kusama's incredible journey.
July 4, 2023
Yayoi Kusama’s infinity mirrors show at the hisrshhorn in 2016 was one of the first major exhibitions i had the pleasure of attending. Since, she’s continued to be a source of inspiration to me and always an artist I look out for. I’ve done so much research chronicling her life, and this graphic novel does such a stellar job at breaking down the major components if her life without trivializing or brushing past any part of it. On top of that, the illustrations are AMAZING. I enjoyed this read so much, it’s such a great introduction to the life of Yayoi!!
May 5, 2025
(4.2) Definitely learned more about Kusama’s rise to notoriety and struggles with mental illness. She sought guidance from artists to invalidate childhood trauma. The artwork helps you delve further into her process, both shocking and transcendent.
September 6, 2020
A graphic novel about the artist Yayoi Kusama. It was interesting to find out a little more about her and I thought the illustrations fit her art very well. An interesting way to read a biography embedded in the art.
August 7, 2020
I have to admit that I've never even heard of this artist or her journey before reading this graphic biography of hers. I love pop colors and her style is energetic, fun, and its circumstances are different.
I always love reading women's success stories and especially if they face struggles to achieve what they want, and Kusama being from a conservative family in Japan, to do what she did in New York, was quite impressive.
After reading it, I looked for her art online and I have to say the the graphic novel is quite true to her style and her iconic paintings.
I thank Netgalley for the digital ARC.
I always love reading women's success stories and especially if they face struggles to achieve what they want, and Kusama being from a conservative family in Japan, to do what she did in New York, was quite impressive.
After reading it, I looked for her art online and I have to say the the graphic novel is quite true to her style and her iconic paintings.
I thank Netgalley for the digital ARC.
April 3, 2021
🔴 Yayoi Kusama (1929, Japan) lives her work to the fullest. She suffers from obsessive anxiety and a sense of anguish that would never leave her. Like herself is her work, psychedelic, image and action, infinity and reflection. Total obliteration.
Macellari (1981, Italy) captured these aspects of her very well. She uses just enough words to support the story, that is a very visual one where you connect through the imagery in which she uses multiple layers to tell her story, also in the choice of her colours and the subtle return of main motives. It is even a good idea to sometimes pick up the book and hold it close to your eyes and disappear into the pictures as you would have done with one of Kusama's infinity nets.
I adored the artwork in this graphic novel, the clear lineation, the colour palette. Of course, there are all the familiarities of Kusama's work. The dots, the red, the phalluses, the pumpkins, mirrors, performances and statements she made. But reading it a second time I noticed how delicate she integrated Japanese prints in the story backgrounds and how well she made visual connections between experiences Kusama had as a child and her following work at the end of the book.
The only thing I really missed were the last decades of Kusama's life, don't get me wrong the final panels were grand, but I would have liked it if those last years had at least been pictured in a couple of extra pages. It might be due to arrangements made with Kusama as she is still alive though.
🔴 Yayoi Kusama (1929, Matsumoto, Japan), who was a self-described “obsessional artist,” known for her extensive use of polka dots and for her infinity installations. She employed painting, sculpture, performance art, and installations in a variety of styles, including Pop art and Minimalism. This graphic novel is an introduction to her life and work.
Voor een inkijkje: https://www.instagram.com/p/CNNSqhUri1f/
Macellari (1981, Italy) captured these aspects of her very well. She uses just enough words to support the story, that is a very visual one where you connect through the imagery in which she uses multiple layers to tell her story, also in the choice of her colours and the subtle return of main motives. It is even a good idea to sometimes pick up the book and hold it close to your eyes and disappear into the pictures as you would have done with one of Kusama's infinity nets.
I adored the artwork in this graphic novel, the clear lineation, the colour palette. Of course, there are all the familiarities of Kusama's work. The dots, the red, the phalluses, the pumpkins, mirrors, performances and statements she made. But reading it a second time I noticed how delicate she integrated Japanese prints in the story backgrounds and how well she made visual connections between experiences Kusama had as a child and her following work at the end of the book.
The only thing I really missed were the last decades of Kusama's life, don't get me wrong the final panels were grand, but I would have liked it if those last years had at least been pictured in a couple of extra pages. It might be due to arrangements made with Kusama as she is still alive though.
🔴 Yayoi Kusama (1929, Matsumoto, Japan), who was a self-described “obsessional artist,” known for her extensive use of polka dots and for her infinity installations. She employed painting, sculpture, performance art, and installations in a variety of styles, including Pop art and Minimalism. This graphic novel is an introduction to her life and work.
Voor een inkijkje: https://www.instagram.com/p/CNNSqhUri1f/
Read
April 25, 2021I like Yayoi Kusama's art, but I didn't know much about her life as a person, so I figured this nonfiction graphic novel would be up my alley. I liked the art of the comic and felt that it paid homage to her work rather than just copying it. But sadly the book was rather brief, and jumped from topic to topic without much exploration.
I really wanted to know more about everything that came up: her moving back and forth between Japan and the US, her mental illness, her being sex-repulsed (I feel like she is one of the very few celebrities who are out about being sex-repulsed), her queer themes, her rivalry with Andy Warhol, everythingggg. I would've either cut down on the themes and explored the remaining ones more thoroughly, or just had a longer book (which, of course, isn't always possible due to a variety of factors).
The book made me want to learn more about Yayoi Kusama's life, so I think I'm going to read her autobiography. :)
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Source of the book: Lawrence Public Library
I really wanted to know more about everything that came up: her moving back and forth between Japan and the US, her mental illness, her being sex-repulsed (I feel like she is one of the very few celebrities who are out about being sex-repulsed), her queer themes, her rivalry with Andy Warhol, everythingggg. I would've either cut down on the themes and explored the remaining ones more thoroughly, or just had a longer book (which, of course, isn't always possible due to a variety of factors).
The book made me want to learn more about Yayoi Kusama's life, so I think I'm going to read her autobiography. :)
_____
Source of the book: Lawrence Public Library
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