The Fine Art & Collectibles Sale
Lot 122:
Description
Signed (verso)
Image Dimensions: 15 x 18 in (38 x 45.5 cm)
Framed Dimensions: 18 7/8 x 21 7/8 in (48 x 55.5 cm)
This lot is accompanied by a consignor-provided COA or related documentation, offered as received.
Yayoi Kusama’s pumpkin paintings occupy a central position within her practice, where a simple organic form is transformed into a highly structured visual system defined by repetition, infinity, and psychological intensity. The pumpkin serves as both a personal motif and a universal symbol, allowing Kusama to construct images that are immediately recognizable yet conceptually expansive.
In this work, the composition is centered on a single pumpkin form, rendered with clear vertical segmentation that establishes a strong structural rhythm. The solidity of the object is counterbalanced by the density of Kusama’s signature dot system, which covers the entire surface. These repeated circular elements follow the curvature of each segment, simultaneously building volume and dissolving the boundaries of the form.
The background is composed of a tightly interwoven net pattern, creating a secondary layer of visual activity. This interaction between the contained form and the surrounding field generates a sense of expansion beyond the edges of the canvas, reflecting Kusama’s ongoing engagement with the idea of infinity. The image thus oscillates between object and environment, form and pattern.
Color plays a decisive role in shaping the work’s visual impact. The vivid pink of the pumpkin, set against a deep black ground, produces a striking contrast that enhances both clarity and intensity. This chromatic choice differs from her more commonly recognized yellow pumpkins, introducing a more graphic and high-contrast visual dynamic that emphasizes structure and surface.
The painting operates on two perceptual levels. At a distance, it presents a bold and iconic image; at close range, the viewer encounters an intricate accumulation of dots and lines that continuously engage the eye. This duality between immediacy and complexity is a defining characteristic of Kusama’s work.
Within Kusama’s market, pumpkin paintings remain among the most sought-after works, valued for their recognizability, conceptual strength, and consistent demand. The presence of an official studio registration card accompanying this painting-detailing its title, date, dimensions, and registration number-aligns with the artist’s established documentation system and supports its placement within her authenticated body of work.
In a display context, the painting commands strong visual presence. Its centralized composition and high-contrast palette allow it to function as a focal point, while the density of its surface invites prolonged viewing. It is particularly suited to contemporary interiors where bold visual language and clarity are emphasized.
This work exemplifies Kusama’s ability to transform repetition into a universal visual language, turning a familiar form into a symbol of infinity and perception. It is precisely this synthesis of structure, color, and concept that sustains its enduring appeal and market strength.
Condition: ALL PROPERTY IS SOLD AS IS, WHERE IS, WITH NO RETURNS OR CANCELLATIONS.
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