It’s hard to steal the attention from Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama’s colourful, polka-dotted and genre-bending works. But attendees at the NGV Gala took on the challenge on Saturday December 14, donning ensembles that doubled as artworks as they got VIP sneak peeks before the kaleidoscopic exhibition opened to the public.
The rolled-out carpet was aptly pink to complement the bright hue that greets guests when they enter the NGV for the Yayoi Kusama exhibition, which also matches the pink trees along St Kilda Road.
Heads all turned when Uncut Gems star and it girl Julia Fox (she’s everywhere, she’s so Julia) arrived wearing a crocheted slip from Catholic Guilt, peering into a hand-held mirror and surrounded by her high-fashion posse.
Dessert Masters host and friend of Broadsheet Melissa Leong leaned into the business of Kusama’s prints, with a frizzy bob and wearing a maximalist gown from fashion house Romance Was Born’s collaboration with Aboriginal artist and musician Zaachariaha Fielding.
Toni Collette wore a muted lilac and blue dress with puffed sleeves and glittery star detailing, while Teresa Palmer glistened in an all-silver frock with metallic accessories. Others in attendance included actor-director Joel Edgerton, Rachel Griffiths, Brahman Perera, Julia Bussutil-Nishimura, Baker Boy, Art Simone, Maria Thattil and Olivia Rogers.
The public party started at 8pm, with queues snaking out the gallery’s glass waterfall door by that time. Guests got to enjoy a special performance by seven-time Aria Award winner Genesis Owusu.
Yayoi Kusama at NGV is the largest exhibition of the Japanese artist’s work ever mounted in Australia. And it’s every bit as fanciful as you’d expect it to be, with a psychedelic new infinity room, giant pumpkins, more than 1000 silver mirrored balls, avant-garde fashion and more across 180 works.
Yayoi Kusama is open now at NGV International, running until April 21, 2025. Find more information and get your exhibition tickets at ngv.vic.gov.au.
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