Yayoi Kusama - 20th Century & Contemporary Art Day Sale London Friday, March 3, 2023 | Phillips

20th Century & Contemporary Art Day Sale

London Auction 3 March 2023

  • Provenance

    Private Collection
    Christie's, New York, 8 May 2000, lot 203
    Private Collection
    Sotheby's, New York, 14 November 2013, lot 323
    Acquired at the above sale by the present owner

  • Artist Biography

    Yayoi Kusama

    Japanese

    Named "the world's most popular artist" in 2015, it's not hard to see why Yayoi Kusama continues to dazzle contemporary art audiences globally. From her signature polka dots—"fabulous," she calls them—to her mirror-and-light Infinity Rooms, Kusama's multi-dimensional practice of making art elevates the experience of immersion. To neatly pin an artistic movement onto Kusama would be for naught: She melds and transcends the aesthetics and theories of many late twentieth century movements, including Pop Art and Minimalism, without ever taking a singular path.

     

    As an nonagenarian who still lives in Tokyo and steadfastly paints in her studio every day, Kusama honed her punchy cosmic style in New York City in the 1960s. During this period, she staged avant-garde happenings, which eventually thrust her onto the international stage with a series of groundbreaking exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art in the 1980s and the 45th Venice Biennale in 1993. She continues to churn out paintings and installations at inspiring speed, exhibiting internationally in nearly every corner of the globe, and maintains a commanding presence on the primary market and at auction.

     
    View More Works

Property from the Collection of Jimmy Belilty

177

Yayoi Kusama

Untitled (Shoe)

signed and dated 'Y. Kusama 1976' on the underside
acrylic on shoe, stuffed and sewn fabric
31.8 x 26.7 x 10.2 cm (12 1/2 x 10 1/2 x 4 in.)
Executed in 1976.

Estimate
£20,000 - 30,000 ‡

Sold for £60,960

Contact Specialist

Simon Tovey

Specialist, Associate Director, Head of Day Sale, 20th Century & Contemporary Art
+44 20 7318 4084

stovey@phillips.com

20th Century & Contemporary Art Day Sale

London Auction 3 March 2023