Directed by Heather Lenz | USA | 76 min
Yayoi Kusama is one of the most unique and significant living modern artists. Rising to prominence in the 1960s, she overcame racism, sexism, and mental illness to become the top-selling female artist in the world. Her work is brilliant and beautiful, and this is captured in Heather Lenz’s stunning portrait. Kusama has lived since the 1970s in a mental-health facility in Japan, and the film reveals the connection between her personal struggles and her art, which remains her primary method for working through her mental-health challenges. The result is an invaluable record of one of the world’s great creative geniuses.
Written by Ben Rowe.
Part of our Eyes on Artist Series
In the spirit of respect, reciprocity and truth, we honour and acknowledge that this screening takes place on Moh’kinsstis and the traditional Treaty 7 territory, as well as the oral practices of the Blackfoot confederacy: Siksika, Kainai, Piikani as well as the Îyâxe Nakoda and Tsuut’ina nations. We acknowledge that this territory is home to the Otipemisiwak Métis Government of the Métis Nation within Alberta District 6. Finally, we acknowledge all Nations, Indigenous and non, who live, work and play, as well as help steward this land, honour and celebrate this territory.