Yayoi Kusama (b. 1929) constructs an artistic universe that hovers between hallucination and reality through her vivid polka dots and net-like motifs. She transforms the recurring visual hallucinations of her
childhood into a creative language, making art a pathway for self-healing. “Self-Obliteration” refers to the dissolution of the individual into the boundless universe through infinitely extending imagery, while the repeated layering of “infinity nets” and “polkadots” embodies the inner rhythm of life’s continuous proliferation. Morning (1981) reflects a moment of introspective transition following her return to Japan from New York. The piece combines pastel, ink, and collage, placing a realistic bird silhouette within an oval composition, surrounded by delicate, celllike network patterns. Subtle ink washes create a profound atmosphere, allowing figuration and illusion to achieve a quiet balance. The bird imagery also serves as a metaphor for accessing her inner universe, transforming suffering into a poetic force of healing