London, at Kensington Gardens the largest pumpkin of Yayoi Kusama's career

Yayoi Kusama’slong-awaited, large-scale pumpkin is finally coming to London . Indeed, from July 9 to Nov. 3, 2024, the Round Pond at Kensington Gardens will host Pumpkin, a monumental installation by the Japanese artist, with a project curated by Lizzie Carey-Thomas and Natalia Grabowska. Known for her immersive installations, large-scale sculptures and intricate paintings, Kusama often uses the kabocha gourd in her works. The Pumpkin in London is the largest bronze sculpture depicting a gourd that Yayoi Kusama has created to date, thanks to a height of 6 meters and a diameter of 5.5 meters.

Kusama’s connection to the pumpkin dates back to her childhood. Growing up in a family that grew pumpkin seeds, the artist developed a strong emotional bond with these vegetables, which are often depicted as stand-ins in her self-portraits. Kusama said, “Pumpkins have been a great comfort to me since childhood. They speak to me of the joy of life. They are humble and funny at the same time, and I have and always will celebrate them in my art.”

Since 1946, Kusama’s gourds have taken various shapes, colors and sizes, always featuring the artist’s distinctive polka dot pattern. These sculptures have been installed in museums and galleries around the world and in various outdoor spaces, including parks, gardens and seaside settings. One of the most famous is the yellow and black pumpkin permanently displayed since 1994 at the Benesse Art Site Naoshima, an island in Japan dedicated to displaying art in nature.

Pumpkin (2024) represents one of Kusama’s most ambitious installations, and is intended to offer visitors many viewpoints due to its location and imposing size. The work dialogues with its surroundings, inviting visitors to reflect on the relationship between art, nature and public space. Kusama continues to explore themes of resilience, humor and everyday beauty through the figure of the gourd, which in her vision is a symbol of joy and vitality. And for the duration, the gourd will be on view for free.

Image: Yayoi Kusama, Pumpkin (2024). Courtesy of Ota Fine Arts, Victoria Miro and David Zwirner. Photo: George Darrell

London, at Kensington Gardens the largest pumpkin of Yayoi Kusama's career

Warning: the translation into English of the original Italian article was created using automatic tools. We undertake to review all articles, but we do not guarantee the total absence of inaccuracies in the translation due to the program. You can find the original by clicking on the ITA button. If you find any mistake,please contact us.