An Unprecedented Dialogue | Yayoi Kusama: A Letter to Georgia O’Keeffe

By Kaileia Suvannamaccha | February 2024

Before she was crowned “princess of polka dots,” Yayoi Kusama, then a budding artist, aspired to sow seeds of success akin to the American artists she had only ever read about in textbooks. Among the artists she studied, one woman captured her fascination—Georgia O’Keeffe, the matriarch of American Modernism—so much so that she decided to write to her.

Yayoi’s letter, seeking guidance, echoed like a call for help in a world where males seized the spotlight, and females were supposed to be content with dancing in their shadows. It is unknown what compelled O’Keeffe, one of the most influential female artists of her time, to respond to the young Japanese woman. What is known from their written correspondence, is that O’Keeffe presented Kusama with more than mere advice; she invited the aspiring artist to uproot herself from post-war Japan and transplant into the pulsating heart of New York City for a chance to live the American dream. 

This pen-pal-turned-mentor relationship laid the foundation for Selby Gardens’ upcoming exhibition, Yayoi Kusama: A Letter to Georgia O’Keeffe. Set to feature as part of the Jean and Alfred Goldstein Exhibition series, on display from February 11 through June 30, the exhibition aims to encapsulate the profound connection forged between these artists, seemingly worlds apart, in an unprecedented dialogue. 

Drawing inspiration from a series of transcontinental letters exchanged by these women during the 1950s, the exhibition delves into the unexpected sisterhood that blossomed between Kusama and O’Keeffe, crossing not only cultures, but artistic distinctions as well. 

Jennifer Rominiecki, President and CEO of Selby Gardens describes the show as “a dynamic and exciting interpretation of two iconic female artists that have never been placed together in an exhibition before.” 

“The idea for the exhibition emerged when letters between Kusama and O’Keeffe came up for auction,” says Rominiecki. “We saw the media coverage of that auction and felt inspired. We had been exploring featuring both artists singularly, but the idea of putting them together was too exciting to pass up.”

The Selby Gardens team is crafting a series of immersive vignettes that tell a timeless story of inspiration and admiration between artists. Rominiecki provides additional insights into the vignettes, stating, “Our exhibits are known for how our team translates our featured artists into the gardens themselves, in the conservatory, and throughout the grounds. We are now translating the works of Yayoi Kusama and Georgia O’Keeffe into the language of plants. We want our visitors to be totally immersed in a one-of-a-kind experience.”

Although, at first glance, Kusama and O’Keeffe’s works may seem stylistically different, the exhibition is committed to highlighting the mutual influence they had on each other and their art. It not only showcases their differences but also celebrates the unspoken synergy that existed between them.

Rominiecki explains, “It’s a very inspirational relationship. Here are two women that changed the history of art, and I think it’s exciting to have them paired together in our unique botanical garden setting. O’Keeffe’s work is more representational with recognizable images like flowers, while Kusama takes her abstractions further. Yet, both artists, despite their seemingly different styles, find a harmonious fit in the botanical garden setting.”

Selby Gardens visitors can expect from Yayoi Kusama: A Letter to Georgia O’Keeffe a multi-dimensional experience that encompasses artworks from both artists, reproductions of their original letters to each other, photographs, and plenty of other supplemental and interpretative materials, offering an intimate glimpse into the artists’ unique relationship that was based on mutual respect. 

“Basically, there was this sort of pen-pal-ship, with the letters going back and forth. They did have a historic meeting in the 1950s, in New York, and we can only speculate what that meeting was like,” says Rominiecki.

The immersive nature of the exhibition plans to transcend the limitations of a traditional museum setting, allowing visitors to truly become a part of a larger conversation by immersing them in an art-filled storyscape. 

Both O’Keeffe and Kusama, in their respective eras, played pivotal roles in reshaping the trajectory of art, contributing to a more inclusive and diverse artistic landscape.

Kusama, inspired by O’Keeffe’s success, mustered the courage to pursue her own artistic vision despite the challenges she knew she would inevitably face in a male-dominated industry. One can only ponder what the modern art world would be like if Kusama had never written to O’Keeffe, or had O’Keeffe never responded to Kusama. The influence she had on big name male artists like Andy Warhol, Claes Oldenburg, and Lucas Samaras is undeniable, though it took many years for her to receive the credit she rightfully deserved.

O’Keeffe also stands as a pioneering figure in American art history, being one of the first American female artists to have her works recognized and respected during her lifetime. Departing from conventional representational art, O’Keeffe carved her niche through abstract and symbolic works; most famously, her lyrical representations of natural forms in the American Southwest. 

Because of the encouragement the ambitious Kusama received from the seasoned O’Keeffe, she was prepared to overcome struggles and persevere in the male-led art scene of 1960s New York. 

Her innovative use of repetitive patterns played a crucial role in the development of the Pop Art and Minimalist movements, inspiring a new wave of contemporary artists that would explore similar conceptual realms. The international acclaim she eventually received for her work and vision as a professional female artist challenged preconceived notions and stereotypes about the role women occupied in the art world at large. 

The celebration of Kusama and O’Keeffe’s contributions to art and nature aligns with the 50th-anniversary season of Selby Gardens, making it a fitting crescendo to a year of special programming. 

Rominiecki expresses her personal excitement. “I’m thrilled to highlight these two artists in a way that they haven’t been before. This entire show is a tribute to them and their incredible work.”

Yayoi Kusama: A Letter to Georgia O’Keeffe promises to lead visitors on an extraordinary journey through the intertwined narratives of two remarkable female visionary artists. Much like the continual cycle of nature, Kusama and O’Keeffe’s artworks speak a language that resonates with and inspires new life. The exhibition endeavors to not only spotlight each artist’s individual brilliance, but also, to illuminate the harmonious interplay between their creations, deeply rooted in nature. 

“There’s something here for everyone,” Rominiecki says, encouraging nature enthusiasts and art lovers alike to view the exhibition. “It’s really for anyone who wants to expand their mind and learn.”

Attendees of the Yayoi Kusama: A Letter to Georgia O’Keeffe exhibition can anticipate in a thought-provoking and visually stunning one-of-a-kind experience that celebrates the enduring impact nature has on the world of art. As envisioned by its curators, this exhibition has been designed as a gateway to understanding exactly how nature inspired these artists and, in turn, how nature can inspire us all. To learn more about the Yayoi Kusama: A Letter to Georgia O’Keeffe exhibition and to plan your visit, go to www.selby.org.