The NGV Yayoi Kusama Exhibition Unveils a Dazzling, Immersive Universe—Are You Ready to Enter Infinity?

A highlight of the exhibition is a brand-new Infinity Mirror Room—the latest addition to her iconic series of immersive installations. The artist unveiled her first Infinity Mirror Rooms in the 1960s at New York’s Castellane Gallery. More than 60 years later, they continue to captivate with their endless cycle of reflections that challenge how we perceive time and physical boundaries.

Visitors often describe feeling both small and infinite in Kusama’s Infinity Rooms, a duality she has explored often throughout her career. Titled My Heart is Filled to the Brim with Sparkling Light (2024), her latest Infinity Room creates the illusion of an infinite celestial universe. Described by Kusama as “a message of love to the world”, the space dissolves around the viewer, replaced by a shimmering cosmos of mirrored surfaces and glowing orbs, encouraging them to reflect on the vastness of existence and their place within an endless cosmos.

“This is spectacular!!!” says The Art Hunter on Instagram. “When you step into this room, you feel that you are going to drop, but of course you don’t, it’s a mirror floor/walls/ceiling.” Journalist and author Jane Rocca concurs. “Go see it,” she says. “Connect the dots, get lost in the cosmos and be inspired by a woman who, at 95, is still painting and chasing peace and love.”

The weekly NGV Friday Nights Yayoi Kusama event is a great way to explore the exhibition after hours, accompanied by live music, DJ sets, drinks and dining. Also part of the celebrations, Kusama for Kids is a free, interactive polka dot exhibition that takes younger audiences on a journey into the artist’s playful universe, centering on the Yayoi Obliteration Room. Unlike traditional museum exhibits where touching is off-limits, this unmissable experience turns children into active participants in a living, evolving work of art as they place colourful stickers anywhere they like—on the walls, furniture, floor, even the ceiling.

The NGV’s public programmes also include artist talks, guided tours and hands-on workshops, providing deeper insights into Kusama’s avant-garde vision and lifelong obsessions.

Yayoi Kusama’s Patterns: The Power of Repetition in Polka Dots, Infinity Nets and Pumpkins is More than a Motif—It’s a Philosophy

© NGV Yayoi Kusama Exhibition

In the run up to the NGV Yayoi Kusama exhibition, the artist transformed the plane trees lining the gallery’s entrance, wrapping more than 60 trunks in a striking pink-and-white pattern created especially for the show. The polka dot trees are the latest manifestation of a trademark motif that has appeared on everything from Louis Vuitton handbags to the towering sculpture of a dancing pumpkin Yayoi Kusama designed for the NGV’s foyer.

Polka dots, nets and pumpkins are all recurring symbols in Kusama’s repetition art, elements she describes as “Unseen Reverberations from the Universe”. So much of her work stems from the repetition of these motifs, which reflect her deep philosophical engagement with infinity, transformation and self-obliteration—the dissolution of the ego into a boundless, all-encompassing space.

The Melbourne exhibition enables visitors to experience these iconic Yayoi Kusama patterns up close and at scale. In Love is Calling (2013), a kaleidoscopic Infinity Room, visitors weave through neon-bright, tentacle-like sculptures, each covered in Kusama’s signature polka dots. Meanwhile, Spirits of the Pumpkins Descended into the Heavens (2015) envelops viewers in a luminous yellow chamber where mirrors multiply Kusama’s playful polka dots and pumpkins.

Beyond these large-scale installations, rarely seen early works offer insight into the origins of Kusama’s visual language. A series of black-and-white Infinity Nets paintings from the late 1950s and 1960s reveal the genesis of this trademark motif, laying the foundation for the multicoloured nets that weave through later Yayoi Kusama paintings and prints.

Viewing these works in chronological order at the NGV exhibition allows viewers to witness the evolution of Kusama’s early minimalist polka dots, pumpkins and infinity nets into the vibrant, immersive environments that made her a global sensation.

The NGV retrospective underscores how Yayoi Kusama set the standard for interactive and experiential art decades before it became mainstream. Long before immersive exhibitions became a cultural phenomenon, Kusama was pioneering large-scale, participatory environments that blurred the boundaries between art and audience. Her iconic Infinity Mirror Rooms—first created in the 1960s—laid the groundwork for today’s experience-driven art, where interaction is central to engagement.

Kusama’s influence can be seen in the rise of immersive art experiences around the globe, such as the large-scale artist-led immersive shows at Lightroom in London, teamLab's digital art exhibitions across Japan and the experiential, colour-saturated worlds of Maddox Gallery artists Jerkface and Lefty Out There. These Contemporary artists build on Kusama’s legacy, crafting works designed for direct participation, social media engagement and audience experience.

Beyond the gallery space, Kusama’s collaboration with Louis Vuitton has cemented her status as a cultural icon. From handbags and clothing to full-scale store takeovers, her instantly recognisable dots and pumpkins have reached audiences far beyond the art world.

Despite being in her 10th decade, Yayoi Kusama remains at the forefront of Contemporary art because her work is both timeless and deeply personal. Her obsession with infinity, repetition and self-obliteration—ideas she has explored for decades—feels more relevant than ever in an era of digital spaces, social media and immersive experiences. 

Beyond her innovations in immersive art, Kusama’s work resonates on a human level. Her story—marked by struggle, mental health battles and an unwavering dedication to her vision—makes her art feel authentic and deeply felt. Interesting facts about Yayoi Kusama: She transforms personal experiences into universal themes: the desire to escape the self, the longing for connection and the tension between order and chaos.

Why invest in Yayoi Kusama

Why This Yayoi Kusama Exhibition Matters for Collectors & Art Investors 

As one of the most collected and commercially successful living artists, Yayoi Kusama’s market influence has never been stronger, with her works consistently achieving record-breaking auction results. In recent years, her Infinity Nets paintings and polka dot sculptures have commanded millions at Sotheby’s and Christie’s, with demand only continuing to rise. Kusama’s unique combination of critical acclaim, global popularity and scarcity of certain works has made her a leading figure in the Contemporary art market.

The NGV retrospective reasserts Kusama’s place at the top, with exhibitions such as this playing a crucial role in driving both interest and value. High-profile museum shows increase visibility and institutional recognition, factors that often lead to heightened demand in the secondary market. When collectors see Kusama’s work showcased in a major institution, it reaffirms her significance and adds to the desirability of her paintings, sculptures and prints.

For those looking to invest, Kusama’s market trajectory suggests continued appreciation. Limited-edition prints and smaller sculptures remain entry points for new collectors, while her large-scale works and early paintings are among the most coveted. With museums and private collectors competing for her rarest pieces, now is a timely moment to consider investing.

 Owning a Piece of Kusama’s Vision: The Market for Yayoi Kusama Prints

The artist’s market has skyrocketed in recent years, with collectors and investors alike vying for Yayoi Kusama works. While her large-scale sculptures and paintings sell for millions at auction, limited-edition Yayoi Kusama prints offer a more accessible entry point into Kusama’s world—one that continues to appreciate in value.

Pumpkin (YY), 1996, Screenprint, 32 x 40 cm, Edition of 120

Why invest in Yayoi Kusama Prints?

1. Strong Return on Investment. Kusama’s prints have experienced significant price increases over the past decade. As her global influence continues to grow, the demand for her limited-edition works has followed suit, making them a promising investment opportunity.

2. Affordability Compared to Yayoi Kusama paintings. While the artist’s paintings and sculptures are accessible only to top-tier collectors and institutions, her prints allow a broader audience to own a piece of her legacy at a fraction of the cost.

3. Scarcity Drives Demand. Often released in small editions, Yayoi Kusama prints are highly sought after. Their rarity, combined with her status as one of the most collectible living artists, ensures continued market interest.

4. Cultural & Historical Significance. Owning a Kusama print isn’t just about financial returns—it’s about collecting a piece of art history. More than half way through her 10th decade, her artistic production will inevitably slow down, decreasing the number of pieces available and driving up costs further. 

Explore Yayoi Kusama prints for sale

How to Visit the Yayoi Kusama NGV Exhibition Before It Moves On

The retrospective runs at the NGV in Melbourne until 21 April 2025, given the high demand for the Yayoi Kusama exhibition, it's advisable to book your tickets in advance for guaranteed entry. Tickets bought online are flexible, which means you can visit at any time on the day of your ticket, during regular opening hours.

Be prepared for long queues for the Infinity Rooms. To avoid the busiest times, consider visiting on a weekday morning, which often attract lighter crowds. For a unique after-hours visit, NGV Friday Nights, open 6-10pm, include exhibition entry and live entertainment.

Must-see highlights include My Heart is Filled to the Brim with Sparkling Light, the newest Infinity Room making its global debut in Melbourne. The Spirits of the Pumpkins Descended into the Heavens, an immersive room featuring Kusama's iconic pumpkin motifs. And the massive floating balloons in the Great Hall, part of Kusama’s Dots Obsession installation.

Conclusion

The NGV retrospective is a rare opportunity to experience nearly 200 of Yayoi Kusama’s most celebrated works in one landmark exhibition. From her pioneering Infinity Rooms to her iconic Infinity Nets, pumpkins and polka dots, the show offers an unparalleled look at the evolution of one of the most influential artists of our time.

Beyond its visual spectacle, the exhibition reshapes how we engage with Kusama’s art, immersing us in her world of obsession, infinity and self-obliteration. It’s a chance to not just view her work, but to step inside it, to feel its impact on a profound and personal level.

For collectors and investors looking to own a tangible part of the artist’s legacy, Maddox Gallery has a selection of exclusive Yayoi Kusama prints for sale

Explore our curated collection of Yayoi Kusama prints for sale at Maddox Gallery and invest in a timeless icon of Contemporary art. Contact Maddox Art Advisory for Yayoi Kusama art for sale and other blue chip investment opportunities.

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