The Times Australia
The Times Australia

.

Trees along St Kilda Road, Melbourne to be wrapped in custom artwork by Yayoi Kusama


In celebration of the National Gallery of Victoria’s (NGV) world-premiere blockbuster exhibition Yayoi Kusama, more than 60 plane trees along St Kilda Road in front of NGV International will be wrapped in a pink-and-white polka-dot design developed especially for Melbourne by the artist. The artwork, Ascension of Polka Dots on the Trees, is one of several FREE artworks that visitors can experience beyond the walls of the exhibition, alongside a site-specific artwork created for NGV International’s waterwall, polka-dotted inflatables in the Great Hall, and a children’s exhibition.



Extending Kusama’s kaleidoscopic worldview beyond the walls of the NGV, Ascension of Polka Dots on the Trees will envelop the trees along Melbourne’s iconic grand boulevard. Kusama initially presented Ascension of Polka Dots on the Trees at the Kirishima Open Air Museum in Japan in 2002 where she displayed red-and-white trees, but for Melbourne she has created a special iteration in a bold pink-and-white polka-dotted fabric.

Nearby, NGV International’s glass waterwall will be covered with a pink-and-black polka dot design, enticing visitors into Kusama’s creative world through this iconic Melbourne entryway. Inside NGV International, visitors will also encounter Narcissus Garden, 1966/2024, a new iteration of the installation Kusama first presented unofficially at the Venice Biennale in 1966. This installation comprises 1400 silver balls, each 30cm in diameter and presented en masse as visitors enter the building. This sea of mirrored spheres will be presented in front of the waterwall and parts of Federation Court, creating a reflective landscape that envelops the spectator. The NGV will have an opportunity to acquire this work for its Collection through the 2024 Annual Appeal, which invites philanthropic donations of any size. 

Also in Federation Court, visitors will discover a towering 5-metre-tall bronze pumpkin sculpture newly acquired by the NGV. Twisting under the skylit atrium, Dancing Pumpkin, 2020, is one of Kusama’s largest and most ambitious imaginings of her beloved pumpkin motif to date. Whereas her earlier pumpkin sculptures have typically static, solid bases, Dancing Pumpkin has eleven leg-like sections – all but three hover above the ground, suggesting joyous movement.

In the Great Hall, there will also be a presentation of Dots Obsession, originally conceived by the artist in 1996. Hanging overhead and beneath Leonard French’s iconic cut-glass in Great Hall, this spectacular work features large yellow-and-black inflatable vinyl spheres covered in the artist’s signature polka-dot pattern. For Kusama, dots symbolise both the individual and, when presented in great numbers, the cosmos.

Also on display in the NGV’s FREE children’s gallery is The Obliteration Room, 2002–present, a large-scale, interactive installation that invites audiences of all ages to transform a stark white domestic interior into a kaleidoscope of coloured dots. Throughout her career, Kusama has used dots and other repetitive forms to cover many different surfaces and fill entire rooms. She calls this process ‘obliteration’, a concept that underpins much of the artist’s practice, and involves fragmenting something in order to return it to the universe.  In this work, Kusama invites kids and their families take part in this process of obliteration by adding bright, colourful dots to the white furniture, objects and surfaces of the work’s interior.

Steve Dimopoulos, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, said: Yayoi Kusama is set to draw big crowds with her vibrant and diverse works – visually spectacular and creatively executed within the gallery walls, but also drawing people in with the addition of these free public activations. We’re proud to back the NGV's summer blockbuster exhibition – one that feels right at home in Victoria – a state that is ‘Every bit different’.’

Colin Brooks, Minister for Creative industries, said: ‘The NGV is taking audiences of all ages on a whirlwind Kusama adventure this summer – from the delightful polka-dot transformation of trees outside the gallery to a 5-metre tall Dancing Pumpkin sculpture and more – there are plenty of free and fun experiences for people of all ages to enjoy, and that’s before they step into the exhibition.’

Nina Taylor, Member for Albert Park, said: ‘We’re proud to back the NGV’s summer blockbuster - Yayoi Kusama – one of the largest ever showcases of the iconic artist’s work, and an enticing addition to Melbourne’s jam-packed calendar of events.’

Tony Ellwood AM, Director, NGV said: ‘We’re delighted to be able to extend our exhibition experience beyond the walls of the gallery and share Kusama’s creativity with as many visitors as possible through these free, accessible and all-ages artworks. We’re grateful to Kusama for helping us to make her Melbourne retrospective exhibition a cultural event like no other.’

Displayed across the entire ground floor of NGV International, Yayoi Kusama is one of the most comprehensive retrospective exhibitions of the artist’s work ever presented globally and the largest ever mounted in Australia. The exhibition traces her entire career – from her childhood in the 1930s through to the present-day – through a rich selection of works drawn from the artist’s personal collection and premier institutions across Japan and Australia. Featuring painting, sculpture, collage, fashion, video and installation, the exhibition reveals the astonishing breadth of Kusama’s multidisciplinary practice.

Born in Japan in 1929, Kusama is one of the world’s most important and recognised practitioners working today. She is renowned globally for her singular and idiosyncratic use of pattern, colour and symbols to create immersive, thought-provoking and intensely personal works of art that transcend language and borders. She has made indelible contributions to key art movements of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, including minimalism, pop art and feminist art.

Yayoi Kusama will be on display from 15 December 2024 to 21 April 2025 at NGV International, St Kilda Road, Melbourne. Entry fees apply. Tickets and information are available via the NGV website: NGV.MELBOURNE 

@ngvmelbourne #NGV #NGVKusama

Video games can help trans players feel seen and safe. It all starts with design

There is a comfort in finding and being yourself. Video games offer opportunities for this comfort. They all...

Times Magazine

Headless CMS in Digital Twins and 3D Product Experiences

Image by freepik As the metaverse becomes more advanced and accessible, it's clear that multiple sectors will use digital twins and 3D product experiences to visualize, connect, and streamline efforts better. A digital twin is a virtual replica of ...

The Decline of Hyper-Casual: How Mid-Core Mobile Games Took Over in 2025

In recent years, the mobile gaming landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with mid-core mobile games emerging as the dominant force in app stores by 2025. This shift is underpinned by changing user habits and evolving monetization tr...

Understanding ITIL 4 and PRINCE2 Project Management Synergy

Key Highlights ITIL 4 focuses on IT service management, emphasising continual improvement and value creation through modern digital transformation approaches. PRINCE2 project management supports systematic planning and execution of projects wit...

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

From Beach Bops to Alpine Anthems: Your Sonos Survival Guide for a Long Weekend Escape

Alright, fellow adventurers and relaxation enthusiasts! So, you've packed your bags, charged your devices, and mentally prepared for that glorious King's Birthday long weekend. But hold on, are you really ready? Because a true long weekend warrior kn...

Effective Commercial Pest Control Solutions for a Safer Workplace

Keeping a workplace clean, safe, and free from pests is essential for maintaining productivity, protecting employee health, and upholding a company's reputation. Pests pose health risks, can cause structural damage, and can lead to serious legal an...

The Times Features

The Role of Your GP in Creating a Chronic Disease Management Plan That Works

Living with a long-term condition, whether that is diabetes, asthma, arthritis or heart disease, means making hundreds of small decisions every day. You plan your diet against m...

Troubleshooting Flickering Lights: A Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners

Image by rawpixel.com on Freepik Effectively addressing flickering lights in your home is more than just a matter of convenience; it's a pivotal aspect of both home safety and en...

My shins hurt after running. Could it be shin splints?

If you’ve started running for the first time, started again after a break, or your workout is more intense, you might have felt it. A dull, nagging ache down your shins after...

Metal Roof Replacement Cost Per Square Metre in 2025: A Comprehensive Guide for Australian Homeowners

In recent years, the trend of installing metal roofs has surged across Australia. With their reputation for being both robust and visually appealing, it's easy to understand thei...

Why You’re Always Adjusting Your Bra — and What to Do Instead

Image by freepik It starts with a gentle tug, then a subtle shift, and before you know it, you're adjusting your bra again — in the middle of work, at dinner, even on the couch. I...

How to Tell If Your Eyes Are Working Harder Than They Should Be

Image by freepik Most of us take our vision for granted—until it starts to let us down. Whether it's squinting at your phone, rubbing your eyes at the end of the day, or feeling ...