Yayoi Kusama: Recent Paintings at Gillman Barracks

When it comes to museum exhibitions, Yayoi Kusama’s are widely considered to be the crème de la crème. Not only did her Life is the Heart of a Rainbow exhibit in 2017 see snaking lines form at the National Gallery, it was also the subject of endless posts on our Instagram feeds.

Instead of that same furore four years ago, a secret Yayoi Kusama exhibition has recently popped up at Ota Fine Arts, located in Gillman Barracks. Featuring a minimalist theme, it is a stark contrast to the polka-dotted world of hers we’re more familiar with, but still worth checking out nonetheless. From now till 6th March 2021, here’s what to expect.

Find out what other exhibitions you can check out in Singapore:

• SCCC Moo Moo PARK
• Star Wars Identities: The Exhibition
• SINGAPO人: Discovering Chinese Singaporean Culture

Mirror “clouds” to take unique selfies

Image credit: @otafinearts

You won’t find photo opportunities in the form of infinity rooms and illuminated pumpkins at this Yayoi exhibition. Instead, marvel at stainless steel mirrored surfaces in all sorts of shapes and sizes scattered all around the gallery’s floor – a unique museum perspective of focussing attention downwards instead of up and around you. 

The exhibit will let you take plenty of unique mirror selfies
Image credit: @the__noon

Titled “CLOUDS”, each sculpture piece takes its own unique shape to look like liquid-metal clouds. Their significance? To emphasise Yayoi’s thoughts on reflection and repetition. The reflective nature of the installation also means you’ll be able to snap unique mirror selfies here. Play with different angles and you just might get a shot worthy of the ’gram.

15 monochromatic paintings 

Image credit: @adele.lasauterelle

As you make your way around the cloud-like sculptures, stop to view Yayoi Kusama’s monochromatic paintings that line the walls. There are 15 perfectly-square canvases, each entailing their own story and intricate details. 

Image credit: @jootingpoh

Worked on since 2018, they are made out of symbols like eyes incorporated with different shapes and patterns – offering an inside look into the enigmatic artist’s mind and her views on topics like love and death. 

Visit the Yayoi Kusama: Recent Paintings exhibition

Image credit: @contemporarypilgrimage

Whether you’re an avid fan of Yayoi’s art or simply looking for a quick date activity to fill your upcoming weekends, Yayoi Kusama: Recent Paintings is worth a visit. 

Besides free entry, this exhibition is also the first time that these installations are displayed in Southeast Asia, so you’ll be getting an exclusive look at the unique works. 

Yayoi Kusama: Recent Paintings
Address: Ota Fine Arts, Gillman Barracks, 7 Lock Road, Singapore 108935
Opening hours: Tues – Sat 11AM-7PM, Sun 11AM-6PM (Closed on Mondays and Public Holidays)
Website

Cover image adapted from: @the__noon, @contemporarypilgrimage