By IMRAN JALAL,
Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama knows first-hand the impact Covid-19 can have on your life. The 91-year-old, known for her infinity mirror rooms, polka dots, and pumpkin installations, had to postpone two of her exhibitions planned for this year in Washington D.C. and New York City due to the health crisis. The situation has made the famously reclusive artist, who is public about her personal mental health struggles and lives voluntarily in a Japanese psychiatric institution, to break her silence. Yesterday, she released a poem as a rallying call to fight the disease she described as a "monster". Below, the full excerpt of her message:
A Message From Yayoi Kusama To The World
Though it glistens just out of reach, I continue to pray for hope to shine through
Its glimmer lighting our way
This long awaited great cosmic glow
Now that we find ourselves on the dark side of the world
The gods will be there to strengthen the hope we have spread throughout the universe
For those left behind, each person’s story and that of their loved ones
It is time to seek a hymn of love for our souls
In the midst of this historic menace, a brief burst of light points to the future
Let us joyfully sing this song of a splendid future
Let's go
Embraced in deep love and the efforts of people all over the world
Now is the time to overcome, to bring peace
We gathered for love and I hope to fulfil that desire
The time has come to fight and overcome our unhappiness
To COVID-19 that stands in our way
I say Disappear from this earth
We shall fight
We shall fight this terrible monster
Now is the time for people all over the world to stand up
My deep gratitude goes to all those who are already fighting.
Revolutionist of the world by the Art
From Yayoi Kusama