Yayoi Kusama Launches New Outdoor Exhibition in Qatar
Featuring several large-scale installations and an Infinity Room.
In conjunction with the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 kickoff, the grounds of the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) in Qatar have been transformed into an expansive outdoor exhibition dubbed My Soul Blooms Forever featuring artwork from the renowned Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. Said to explore the artist’s fascination with the natural world, several large-scale sculptures have been installed outside, appearing in the region for the first time.
“The grounds of the Museum of Islamic Art have become a favorite outdoor gathering place in Doha, marked by an array of public artworks that range from playful to iconic. With these new installations by Yayoi Kusama — one of the world’s most visionary artists — MIA Park has been magically transformed for the people we are welcoming from around the world for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022,” says Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums.
Presented with the exclusive sponsorship support of Louis Vuitton, highlights of the exhibition include My Soul Blooms Forever (2019) featuring five brightly-colored whimsical flowers between six and nine feet in height, Dancing Pumpkin (2020) consisting of bronze tufts that spread more than 16 feet from the center, and Narcissus Garden which was first presented by Kusama in 1966 — comprising of 1,300 stainless-steel spheres. Kusama’s iconic Infinity Mirrored Room: Dancing Lights that Flew Up to the Universe (2019) installation offers visitors a dreamy immersive experience at QM Gallery Al Riwaq, Ascension of Polka Dots on the Trees (2002/2022) lines each side of a waterside walkway, and the starfish-like I Want to Fly to the Universe (2020) sculpture welcomes visitors upon arrival. In total, Kusama presents nine sculptures and installations which are placed alongside 40 new public artworks by celebrated local, regional and international artists.
My Soul Blooms Forever will be on view at MIA Park until March 1, 2023.
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