EXHIBITION OVERVIEW

About the exhibition

Yayoi Kusama is one of the world's most influential artists. Known for her iconic dots, nets, pumpkins and infinity rooms, her art has captivated millions all over the world.

National Gallery Singapore invites you to discover Kusama's expansive creative vision in the first major survey of her work held in Southeast Asia. Featuring over 120 works across media, YAYOI KUSAMA: Life is the Heart of a Rainbow offers an unprecedented opportunity to explore an extraordinary artistic journey across seven decades. 

Beginning with paintings from the 1950s, the exhibition traces the development of her key motifs and exploration of colour, form and space. Along the way, it highlights her forays into sculpture, collage, performance and video, before culminating in a series of spectacular installations and large-scale paintings that transform our galleries and public spaces.

This exhibition spans 4 galleries (A, B, C, H) and takes roughly 2 hours to complete.

Admission information to YAYOI KUSAMA: Life is the Heart of a Rainbow 

Before you visit, please read these helpful tips to enhance your experience.

Peak Hours & Extended Hours

• Please note that the exhibition is usually at peak capacity from 2pm–5.30pm, especially on weekends. Queueing into some exhibition areas may be required
• The exhibition is open till 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Sale of same-day tickets closes at 8.30pm on days with extended operating hours.

Extended Hours on Fri–Sun, 1–3 Sep 

The special exhibition YAYOI KUSAMA: Life is the Heart of a Rainbow will see extended hours from Fri–Sun, 1–3 Sep. Please refer to the table below for more information. All other galleries will follow regular operating hours. 

#SGLovesKusama

Use the official YAYOI KUSAMA: Life is the Heart of a Rainbow hashtag on social media to be part of the conversation and show us your favourite photos!

KEY ARTWORKS

		Pumpkin 1981 Cloth and acrylic on canvas 130 x 97 cm Collection of Daisuke Miyatsu, Japan   ©YAYOI KUSAMA, Courtesy of Ota Fine Arts, Tokyo/Singapore   The humble pumpkin is one of Kusama's most beloved motifs. The origin of her distinctive yellow-and-black colour scheme, these whimsical, bulbous forms appear regularly in her paintings, prints, sculptures and inst. This work combines an image of a pumpkin with the artist's signature nets and dots motifs.
		Infinity Mirrored Room – Gleaming Lights of the Souls 2008 Mirror, wooden panels, LED lights, metal, acrylic panels 415 x 415 x 287.4 cm Collection of the artist  ©YAYOI KUSAMA, Courtesy of Ota Fine Arts, Tokyo/Singapore, Victoria Miro Gallery, London    First created in 1965, Kusama's infinity mirror rooms transform the repetitive approach of her net and dot paintings into an immersive sensory experience. Ranging in format from small peep boxes to room-scale installations, these kaledoscopic environments invite contemplation in an infinitely repeating, expanded space.
		Life is the Heart of a Rainbow 2017 Acrylic on canvas 194 x 194 cm  ©YAYOI KUSAMA, Courtesy of Ota Fine Arts, Tokyo/Singapore, Victoria Miro Gallery, London, David Zwirner, New York   Kusama began her epic painting series My Eternal Soul in 2009, initially intending to complete 100 canvases. Still ongoing, the series now comprises over 500 paintings, 24 of which are featured in this exhibition. Filled with biomorphic shapes and decorative elements in a riot of bright colours, many of these works have never been shown before.

ADMISSIONS

Timed-entry tickets

Timed-entry tickets will be introduced for this exhibition to keep to the capacity of our 4 special exhibition galleries and provide our visitors with a comfortable experience. Visitors may purchase their tickets at the Level B1 Ticketing Counter for same-day admission or pre-order them online. Visitors are encouraged to book their tickets online to avoid disappointment due to the crowds.

Pre-order online and validate your ticket

Online pre-orders have to be made at least 1 day in advance. 

Once you have completed your online transaction, visitors will receive a confirmation email. Please proceed to the Level B1 Priority Ticketing Counter to validate your ticket. Visitors will need to hold on to their validated tickets before being granted access into each of the galleries.

BOOK ONLINE

Singaporeans and PRs should purchase the All Access Pass for complimentary General Admission tickets.

Membership Privileges

Gallery Insiders enjoy free admission to the exhibition. Book your tickets online from 26 May 2017 or enjoy priority queues for onsite tickets.

BOOK ONLINE 

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Terms & Conditions

• Online pre-orders of tickets is available to Gallery Insiders from 26 May, and the general public on 2 June.
• Online pre-orders must be made at least one day before your visit.
• Visitors who book their tickets online will need to proceed to Level B1 Priority Ticketing Counter to validate their tickets before joining the queue at the special exhibition galleries.
• Entry into the exhibition is based on the time indicated on your validated ticket, although queues are expected during peak hours.
• A validated ticket needs to be produced before entry into each gallery is allowed. 
• Re-entry into any special exhibition gallery is not allowed. 
• From 9 June, a limited number of on-site tickets will be made available each day at 9.30am at the Level B1 Ticketing Counter. While stocks last. 
• Sale of same-day tickets ends 1.5 hours before the galleries close.
  • Last sale of same-day tickets from Sun–Thu & PH: 5.30pm
  • Last sale of same-day tickets from Fri–Sat & Eve of PH: 8.30pm
• During peak hours, queues are expected at the entrance of the special exhibition galleries and some installations.
• For group ticket purchases of 30 or more, please email groupenquiries@nationalgallery.sg or click here for more information.
• The Gallery reserves full discretion to implement alternative crowd control measures outside and within the exhibition galleries when need arises.  
• Complimentary tickets for local students and teachers may be redeemed at the Padang Information Counter on Level 1. A limited number of tickets are released hourly on a first come first served basis. (Please visit our Admissions page for full terms and conditions) 

TOURS

		Self-guided Tours Download our free Gallery Explorer app to enjoy a short audio tour that provides a fascinating glimpse into Kusama's life and the stories behind selected artworks. Available in English and Japanese.     Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 devices are available for loan from Visitor Services at Level B1. For a better listening experience, you may also borrow headphones from the audio guide counter.
		Curator-led Tours Delve deeper into the themes behind YAYOI KUSAMA: Life is the Heart of a Rainbow by embarking on an exclusive tour led by the curators behind the exhibition.   Thu 13 Jul | 7.30–8.45pm | S$25 | Led by Adele Tan*FULLY SUBSCRIBED Thu 10 Aug | 7.30pm–8.45pm | S$25 | Led by Russell Storer*FULLY SUBSCRIBED

KIDS & FAMILIES

		Gallery Children's Biennale: Dreams & Stories 20 May–8 Oct   Visit Kusama's immersive The Obliteration Room, and other creative installations spread across the Gallery! Learn more about the Gallery Children's Biennale.
		Family Weekends Every second Sat & Sun | Jul–Sep   Join us for artist-led workshops and storytelling sessions that explore the patterns, shapes and colours in Kusama's work.   Jun 2017: Drop-in activity: To Infinity and Beyond

TALKS & WORKSHOPS

		Curatorial Roundtable: Yayoi Kusama  Sat 17 Jun | 3–4.30pm The Ngee Ann Kongsi Auditorium Free   Why is the work of Kusama so relevant today? What explains the dazzling popularity of her art, both in the art world and beyond? Explore these questions and more in a lively discussion with the Gallery's Russell Storer and Adele Tan, and Reuben Keehan of the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane
		Sunday Studio: Marbled Patterns Sun 18 Jun, 2 Jul, 6 Aug, 3 Sep | 2–5pm Keppel Centre for Art Education Workshops 1 & 2 S$45   BOOK NOW   Drawing inspiration from the exhibition, participants will learn marbling techniques and experiment with creating a range of patterns on fabric and paper.   Suitable for children aged 15 and up.

EXHIBITION CATALOGUE

YAYOI KUSAMA: Life is the Heart of a Rainbow Price (including tax): SGD 37.45   Accompanying the first major survey of Yayoi Kusama’s work in Southeast Asia, this catalogue explores the captivating work of one of the world’s most influential artist. It features essays by curators from National Gallery Singapore and Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art, a biographical timeline, and beautifully reproduced images of her paintings, sculptures, collage, performances, video works and installations.   This exhibition catalogue is available at the museum shop.   Click here to learn about our full range of exhibition catalogues

MERCHANDISE

Remember your favourite art with these exclusive keepsakes available from Gallery & Co. Featuring the art from the exhibition YAYOI KUSAMA: Life is the Heart of a Rainbow, an assortment of postcards, pins, enamelware, umbrellas and socks are available to be the perfect memory or the perfect gift.

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BEFORE YOU VISIT

Useful information for YAYOI KUSAMA: Life is the Heart of a Rainbow

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

 _{Yayoi Kusama in front of LIFE IS THE HEART OF A RAINBOW. ©YAYOI KUSAMA, Courtesy of Ota Fine Arts, Tokyo/Singapore, Victoria Miro Gallery, David Zwirner, New York.}