Alice in Art -- Yayoi Kusama

[Lady March Hare]

Greetings, guild!

Alice in Wonderland is obviously a fantastic place, and it's probably obvious that it's inspired more than one artist. There's so much material to work with that it manages to transcend style; anyone with any favorite form of art can depict Alice in Wonderland in their own way... and still capture that quintessential thing that made the original tale such a children's classic.

So! I'm going to be trying to hunt down some artists who have taken a stab at interpreting Alice in Wonderland through art... and feel free to share your own! I'll make a list of artists easily accessible... and maybe we'll all find new favorites!

And this isn't just an image thread; let's discuss! What style of art do you think captures the Alice feeling best in your opinion? Is there an artist you know that you'd love to see taking on Wonderland?  

[Lady March Hare]

Yayoi Kusama

If you know anything about art history... or, heck, anything about contemporary art, you know the name Yayoi Kusama. Ms. Kusama is a Japanese avant-garde artist, and she is identified as one of the most prolific Japanese modern contemporary artists. She is probably most widely known as 'the polka dot lady'; much of her art features large dots with solid colors. This is Kusama's way of showing the world how she sees things; she has a disorder that leaves her seeing spots. She is a politically active, eccentric, and part of the hippie counter-culture, and her personal life was a constant struggle against physical and mental illness, for which she was frequently hospitalized. She is still living and making social statements with art today.

Wikipedia Biography | Alternative Outline of her Works | Yayoi Kusama's Personal Website

I highly recommend that you check out the last link if you have even a passing interest in art; she has such an interesting way of exploring the world around her through her art!! Kuama's art site is available in both Japanese and English. ^_^



What does Yayoi Kusama have to do with Alice in Wonderland?

I'm glad you asked! According to this article, Ms. Kusama has released a book illustrating Alice in Wonderland. Her abstract, semi-lucid style seems to adapt well to the idea... the article includes not only some pictures of the book she is releasing, but also a YouTube video of a small portion of the book for your viewing pleasure. Personally, I can't wait until I can find this in my local bookstore... it seems like it'll be extremely trippy, but fun!


So! What do you think? Of Yayoi Kusama, her style, or her Alice in Wonderland illustrations?  

[Victoria Whitechapel]

Lady March Hare

Yayoi Kusama

If you know anything about art history... or, heck, anything about contemporary art, you know the name Yayoi Kusama. Ms. Kusama is a Japanese avant-garde artist, and she is identified as one of the most prolific Japanese modern contemporary artists. She is probably most widely known as 'the polka dot lady'; much of her art features large dots with solid colors. This is Kusama's way of showing the world how she sees things; she has a disorder that leaves her seeing spots. She is a politically active, eccentric, and part of the hippie counter-culture, and her personal life was a constant struggle against physical and mental illness, for which she was frequently hospitalized. She is still living and making social statements with art today.

Wikipedia Biography | Alternative Outline of her Works | Yayoi Kusama's Personal Website

I highly recommend that you check out the last link if you have even a passing interest in art; she has such an interesting way of exploring the world around her through her art!! Kuama's art site is available in both Japanese and English. ^_^



What does Yayoi Kusama have to do with Alice in Wonderland?

I'm glad you asked! According to this article, Ms. Kusama has released a book illustrating Alice in Wonderland. Her abstract, semi-lucid style seems to adapt well to the idea... the article includes not only some pictures of the book she is releasing, but also a YouTube video of a small portion of the book for your viewing pleasure. Personally, I can't wait until I can find this in my local bookstore... it seems like it'll be extremely trippy, but fun!


So! What do you think? Of Yayoi Kusama, her style, or her Alice in Wonderland illustrations?

I hope I will be able to find her book I agree it looks very interesting thanks for sharing it xd  

[Lady March Hare]

Victoria Whitechapel

I hope I will be able to find her book I agree it looks very interesting thanks for sharing it xd

No problem! I'm very fond of Ms. Kusama's art in general, even if contemporary art isn't generally my cup of tea. She's a very interesting character who seems to have made serious effort at making the best of a bad mental condition. She's a tough little thing!  

[Kahlan_BrightBlade]

Her art is very interesting, I will have to search out her alice in Wonderland book so I can see it. I am curious to see how she did the Cheshire cat in her style.  

[Lady March Hare]

Kahlan_BrightBlade

Her art is very interesting, I will have to search out her alice in Wonderland book so I can see it. I am curious to see how she did the Cheshire cat in her style.

Agreed! It seems like a concept that she would have a really unique interpretation of. I haven't been able to find her book yet... then again, I haven't been looking as hard as I might be. XD  

[Kahlan_BrightBlade]

Lady March Hare

Kahlan_BrightBlade

Her art is very interesting, I will have to search out her alice in Wonderland book so I can see it. I am curious to see how she did the Cheshire cat in her style.

Agreed! It seems like a concept that she would have a really unique interpretation of. I haven't been able to find her book yet... then again, I haven't been looking as hard as I might be. XD

Indeed, hmm I guess look harder. maybe thee are some at a discount bookstore somewhere.  

[Lady March Hare]

Kahlan_BrightBlade

Indeed, hmm I guess look harder. maybe thee are some at a discount bookstore somewhere.

I haven't been by a bookstore in so long... maybe. Anywhere with a contemporary art section, that is. XD  

[Kahlan_BrightBlade]

Lady March Hare

Kahlan_BrightBlade

Indeed, hmm I guess look harder. maybe thee are some at a discount bookstore somewhere.

I haven't been by a bookstore in so long... maybe. Anywhere with a contemporary art section, that is. XD

Neither have i... I really need to go to one.  

[Victoria Whitechapel]

I looked for her book but was unable to find it sad I did find the omnibus of Alice in the Country of Hearts manga its really good smile  

[Lady March Hare]

Victoria Whitechapel

I looked for her book but was unable to find it sad I did find the omnibus of Alice in the Country of Hearts manga its really good smile

I'm not quite sure where they're being sold... I live in a po'-dunk area, so my local places don't seem to have it either. But Google does have a small but nice selection of images from the book, at the very least.