Yayoi Kusama passed away at the age of 97. The news of her demise was confirmed on her official website. The Japanese artist who covered the world with polka dots was surrounded by criticism throughout her life. However, when the world got bitter, she turned to her only place of solace, the American artist Joseph Cornell. When he died, her world was ripped from its roots all over again. So, as the world mourns her loss, let’s take a look at her relationship with Joseph.
Yayoi Kusama and her special bond with Joseph Cornell
Yayoi Kusama’s work with polka dots became her signature style over the years, with the pattern appearing across walls, canvases, objects, clothing, rooms, and more. However, while her art gained her prominence, her personal life remained much simpler and lonelier. The artist never got married or had any children, given her past trauma. Nonetheless, she found one person in her life who became her comfort when the world offered chaos.
The man was none other than the American artist, Joseph Cornell. While his style was markedly different from Yayoi Kusama’s, making it difficult to draw a connection between them, they shared a bond beyond anyone’s understanding. According to reports, Yayoi met Joseph in the mid-60s, during what could only be described as the height of her reign. She was a well-known figure in the art community and had become a prominent name among artists like Georgia O’Keeffe, Donald Judd, Andy Warhol, Claes Oldenburg, and Eva Hesse.
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