‘She inspired my proposal’: Readers on Yayoi Kusama

‘She inspired my proposal … and our wedding day’Ciaran and Liam. Photograph: Unknown/Guardian CommunityI have always loved Yayoi Kusama’s work, and when I visited an exhibition of hers on a gap year in Sydney I was spellbound by her infinity mirror rooms. I immediately thought, despite being single at the time, this is a fantastic space to propose in. Fast forward around eight years and I am on one knee holding a ring out to my partner inside an infinity mirror room in Helsinki, with excited and expectant Finns looking on. He said yes. At the wedding, the breakfast was held under polka dotted pink lanterns. Kusama was a fantastic artist, who also protested for my ability to marry – performing her own gay wedding ceremonies before it was legally recognised – and inspired key aspects of my wedding. Liam, 40, Surrey ‘I saw her work and dissolved’Two years ago, while researching in Porto, I was encouraged by a friend to go see the Kusama retrospective at the museum in Parque de Serralves. I was fortunate to experience her remarkable installation Dots Obsession – Aspiring to Heaven’s Love. The powerful effect she termed as self-obliteration viscerally connected with me in that room. I didn’t exist, as I dissolved, the dots were everywhere. Humanity is blessed for her work and I’m grateful and humbled to have experienced it. David, Florida, US ‘I watched the sunset while sat next to her yellow pumpkin’I’ve been lucky enough to see a huge amount of Yayoi Kusama’s work in Japan and in Europe. Hunting down remote galleries in rural Japan to see her work, and spending time viewing it with no one else there has been an absolute treat. Sitting on the shore next to the yellow pumpkin on Naoshima [an “art island”] watching the sun set was one of the most beautiful experiences I’ve had. Her work brings me a sense of peace and calm. She was truly inspirational. Rachel, London ‘She connected with people who didn’t know about art’A lot has been written about Yayoi Kusama’s life and artistic achievements, but perhaps her greatest legacy lies in her ability to bring people into the experience of art, including people who don’t consider themselves art lovers, such as my mother. I loved seeing how my mum was drawn to Kusama’s image and polka-dot works when we visited Tokyo together. You don’t need pretentious art-speak or an understanding of art history to appreciate her work. That direct, instinctive response made the encounter pure and joyful. I bought her a little Kusama plush key chain, which she attached to her bag and carries wherever she goes. It has become a small part of her life; and, for me, a part of our memories together. Vivienne Chow, London ‘I climbed inside a red pumpkin on Naoshima’Sandie in the red pumpkin on Naoshima, Japan’s art island. Photograph: Guardian CommunityI only recently became aware of her work from a visit to Naoshima, Japan’s art island, where two of her pumpkins are on display. Red Pumpkin is particularly great as you can climb inside. On returning home I was surprised and delighted that a pumpkin sculpture had arrived at Goodwood Art Foundation in Sussex. I’m now researching where to find more pumpkins as they always make me smile. Sandie, 61, London ‘I used to pee beneath a photo of her chopping a penis with a knife’From 2008 to 2012 I worked in Tokyo. On weekends I’d go to a gay bar in Shinjuku 2-chome for their ¥1000 “all you can drink” beer for several hours. Above the toilet was a black-and-white photo of Yayoi Kusama looking directly at the camera while holding a big knife chopping a penis (it was really a dildo) on a chopping board. Her eyes were powerful and drew you in. The picture was quite daunting to be looking at while you were peeing. I love that picture and her – she had a very mischievous face and her art was amazing. Peter Allison, 51, Stockton-on-Tees ‘Like losing a favourite neighbourhood auntie’We live around the corner from the Kusama Museum in Tokyo. It opened in 2017 when our now 11-year-old son was just two. We’ve visited every year since, watching him grow bigger among Kusama’s pumpkins and infinity rooms. We’ve often visited the museum as a pick-me-up when feeling down. My son and I watched the sunset from the roof on the day the UK exited the EU. Losing Kusama San is like losing a favourite neighbourhood auntie who was always there to bring us good cheer. Tina Burrett, 49, Tokyo, Japan ‘The world is a more colourful, whimsical, magical place”’I found her art rather late in my life, after 50, but it resonated with me so much that now I have one of her prints in nearly every room of my home. I find them all extremely uplifting and endlessly fascinating. The more I learned about her the more inspired I felt. From her devastating mental health struggles she found such a brilliant way of harnessing the most unique forms of creativity. There is a true magic in that, and we can all benefit from the lessons she has left us with. An enormous talent she was, and the world is a more colourful, whimsical and magical place graced with the art she made over her long and interesting life. Rest in Power dear Yayoi. You were loved and will be greatly missed. Susan, 55, Florida, US