Victoria Miro gallery has opened a new Pumpkins exhibition of works by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. Comprising of two elements – a new body of paintings and large scale mosaic pumpkins which will be on show only until 4 October plus major new series of bronze sculptures will be on display in the gallery’s outdoor water garden until 20 December. I got a gander of it all last night at the private view – and wow! If you can take the time simply to mill about Kusama’s bold and pleasing sculptures and to have a close up peek at meticulous efforts of her paintings and mosaics, you will be glad to have done so.
From my perspective, the show comes across as an attempt to set an apt tone for autumn and the few fun months which lay ahead (from mid September until New Years, I’ve always found London to be as happening a place to be as anywhere – especially with respect to art) as it is a testament to the decades of consistent work by Kusama. Since her youth, the artist has felt a deep affinity for pumpkins with their “charming and winsome form” and “generous unpretentiousness”. I like that … a lot … and reckon charm and generous unpretentiousness is something art lovers in general and the London gallery scene specifically should certainly welcome as we roll toward the end of 2014.
Victoria Miro is located at 16 Wharf Road, N1 7RW. The full Yayoi Kusama | Pumpkins exhibition runs until 4 October with the artist’s new series of bronze sculptures remaining on view at the gallery until 20 December. Find out more at victoria-miro.com.
