A family day at Yayoi Kusama’s NGV exhibition

My partner and I decided to take our four-month-old baby to revered Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama’s exhibition on Valentine’s Day. 

Taking such a little one to an art exhibition might not seem like the easiest (or engaging) outing, but Yayoi Kusama, which runs at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) until April 21, turned out to be a worthwhile experience for all three of us. 

With bold colours, structured patterns, and interactive installations, the exhibition offered something for all ages – even those as young as ours, who was so stimulated by what she saw she eventually fell asleep towards the end!

From the moment we walked in, our baby was alert and engrossed in her surroundings. Kusama’s signature polka dots, bright colours, and mirrored installations created an immersive environment, and one which was already familiar to our daughter who had been gifted a copy of the artist’s Lots of Dots kids book a few weeks earlier by our relatives who had also visited the exhibition. 

Watching as she “connected the dots” between the book and reality was a joy for us parents to take in.

The Infinity Mirrored Room was particularly striking. The reflections and twinkling lights gave the impression of an infinite space, allowing us to play with our perceptions. 

Another key feature was The Hope of the Polka Dots Buried in Infinity Will Eternally Cover the Universe – a striking six-metre-tall installation created using giant balloons and covered in Kusama’s yellow-and-black polka dots. This towering piece features large extending tendrils. Its sheer scale and bold design made it a standout. 

One of the most engaging (and free) experiences as part of Kusama for Kids was The Obliteration Room, which proved to be a hit among children, who along with their parents were given colourful dot stickers to place anywhere in a completely white space, slowly transforming it into a vibrant, multi-coloured environment. 

I loved how children were encouraged to take part in creating the artwork rather than just looking at it. It was a great reminder that art can be playful, interactive, and accessible to all ages.

The Kusama experience also extended beyond the gallery. Trees along St Kilda Rd are wrapped in pink-and-white polka dots, and NGV’s Great Hall featured floating spheres. The gallery’s renowned waterwall also had an installation inspired by the Japanese art icon. 

I wasn’t sure whether an art exhibition would capture my baby’s attention or not, but Kusama’s own unique sense of playful creativity proved to be the ultimate introduction into the artistic world for our daughter.  

The bright visuals, interactive elements, and mirrored spaces collectively made it an inviting experience. It demonstrated that contemporary art can be approachable and enjoyable for a wide audience, including families with young children.

For those interested in visiting, Yayoi Kusama at NGV offers a unique and well-curated exhibition that is all insightful, visually striking and interactive. Whether visiting alone or with children, it provides a fresh perspective on Kusama’s incredible lifetime of work.

Yayoi Kusama is on display at NGV International until April. Entry fees apply. •