In Memory of Yayoi Kusama / 追悼・草間彌生さん(ENG/JPN)
Published on HivePostify by @yadamaniart · Thu Aug 27 2026
(ENG)
This image shows a polka-dot pattern I drew. I created it as a tribute to Ms. Kusama.
On August 14, 2026, avant-garde artist Yayoi Kusama passed away at the age of 97.
She was active in a wide range of fields, primarily in the visual arts, but also in performance art, fashion, and fiction.
I absolutely loved Ms. Kusama’s work. I saw her solo exhibitions at art museums three times. The first time I saw her work was when I was in college. I was captivated not only by her works featuring polka dots but also by her pieces that utilized light. At that time, I bought a small, yellow, metal “polka-dot pumpkin” to take home.
At the subsequent two solo exhibitions, I noticed that her new series of paintings were constantly expanding. Sensing the madness lurking behind their flashy appearance, I thought she was an incredibly energetic and remarkable person.
That’s why I thought she would surely live to at least 100?and I even hoped she would live even longer?so I can’t help but feel deeply saddened.
However, I’ve heard that Ms. Kusama never put down her paintbrush until just before she passed away, so I also think she must have had a peaceful, full life.
I am a far more ordinary person compared to Ms. Kusama, but as someone who was influenced by her, I intend to continue painting as an artist from now on.
I pray that Ms. Kusama rests in peace.
(JPN)
画像は私が水玉模様を描いたものです。草間さんに敬意を込めて私が描きました。
2026年8月14日、前衛芸術家・草間彌生が97歳で亡くなりました。
美術を中心にパフォーマンスやファッション、小説など、多方面で活躍されました。
私は草間さんの作品が大好きでした。３回も美術館での個展を観ました。最初に観たのは大学の時のことでした。水玉模様を展開した作品はもちろんのこと、光を使った作品に目を奪われました。その時は金属でできた小さく黄色い水玉のかぼちゃを買って帰りました。
あとの２回の個展でも、どんどん新シリーズの絵画が増えており、その派手な見かけの裏にある狂気を感じて、エネルギッシュですごい人だなあと思いました。
だから、少なくとも100歳まで生きるだろう、それ以上生きてほしいと思っていたので、残念でなりません。
でも、草間さんは亡くなる直前まで絵筆を手放すことがなかったそうで、大往生だったのかな、とも思います。
私は草間さんに比べればはるかに平凡な人間ですが、草間さんに影響を受けた者としてこれからも画家として絵を描き続けたいと思います。
草間さんのご冥福をお祈り申し上げます。
Tags: #hive-158302#art#artist#japanese#obituary