Art, Fashion and Mirrors (Lots)
I’ve always been a lover of fashion and the way it can influence art, or vice versa.
When I was a titch, I used to draw people with dots for hair, so maybe that explains my fascination with Yayoi Kusama. The wonderful Japanese artist is known for her use of polka dots. In fact, she uses polka dots so much in her painting and sculpture, that back in the 60’s she had periods of psychosis where she could only see the world in polka dots. Imagine that for a minute – seeing the world through polka dot tinted glasses, polka dots everywhere. This has led to her choosing to live her life (50+ years) living in a mental health unit, but she paints every day in her nearby studio and continues to create prolifically at the tender age of 95. Maybe it’s because I’m feeling that age thing creeping up on me, but I find creative, expressive women of a wiser age intriguing. Might have something to do with having lived life and now give zero effs what anyone thinks. Just look at the wonderful, recently passed Iris How Iris Apfel became an icon in her 90s - BBC Culture. You really don’t get more marvellously creative than that – except for maybe Sue Kreitzman (The World of Sue Kreitzman) who actually does wear her art! Now she is a wonder to behold. I really must make it to London for one of her Colour Walk (oldspitalfieldsmarket.com) which happen once a month at Spitalfields Market.
Anyone coming?
To deepen my Yayoi obsession, I booked tickets to her latest ‘Infinity Rooms’ exhibition at Tate Modern Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirror Rooms | Tate Modern. The last time I visited one of her mirrored rooms I was on my own and got so impossibly disorientated that I just stood there laughing out loud at the fact that I was lost in a room which seemingly had no door or walls. I could have died in there and no-one would have found me. So, this time there will be numerous infinity rooms to get deliciously lost in, but at least there will be a search party in the form of family members. Having said that I’m the one with a decent sense of direction so I’m not too hopeful that they will do much rescuing. Wish us luck!
If you’ve never been to one of Yayoi’s infinity rooms, it’s a bit like being in the Upside Down in Stranger Things but with lights, mirrors, and disco balls. For research purposes I googled the ‘Upside Down’ and it is described as ‘an alternate dimension that can be accessed through a mystical portal’. So mystical, in fact that I couldn’t find the damn door.
I highly recommend a visit.
So, after the inspiring visit to London with my sister (including food at Southbank | Wahaca -yum!), I felt motivated to expand on my Art and Outfits collection of photos by holding my own photoshoot in the glamorous and highly sought after location of my living room. I had great fun choosing the outfits from my jam packed but very eclectic wardrobe. Always heavily retro influenced, whether it be my home-made cushion covers or my selection of 60’s and 70’s maxi dresses. I ‘borrowed’ my daughters gorgeous crochet blankets and even added disco lights in a homage to Yayoi.
Which is your favourite?
(Yes I know I look mad as a badger)
