Post for Final Presentation 2

There are a few different artist I specifically want to mention during my presentation that are the most engrossing. I think I am drawn to them because of the exasperation of mark making, their obsessive use of a chosen form ---what does this reveal about them autobiographically? Yayoi Kusama, Agnes Martin Liza Lou are the quintessential examples of expressing their impulse through the visual arts. I have also asked a few of the studio art professors their opinions on this subject matter and if at all they can relate/attempt to help my better understanding of this subject.

Yayoi Kusama for example since the age of ten has continually covered her environment with polka dots. She has created elaborate costume and performance in order to physically display her work---she is the work at times. From wikipedia synopsis what her name brings: [Yayoi Kusama (草間彌生 or 草間弥生, born March 29, 1929) is a Japanese artist. Her paintings, collages, soft sculptures, performance art and environmental installations all share an obsession with repetition, pattern, and accumulation. Her work shows some attributes of feminism, minimalism, surrealism, Art Brut, pop art, and abstract expressionism, and is infused with autobiographical, psychological, and sexual content. She describes herself as an "obsessive artist". Kusama is also a published novelist and poet, and has created notable work in film and fashion design. She has long struggled with mental illness.] I posted a few pictures on my blog but please visit her website she is truly a phenomenon

Liza Lou (California based artist) on the other hand --instead of uses beads inorder to create her mark. Sometimes working 18 hours a day in order to cover only five inches of space. (See Pictures above). In order for her to create these beaded environments she must sell less complicated smaller versions. She sells these only to make enough money to buy more beads so the process can continue and is in an endless cycle.

Agnes Martin a Canadian artist makes minimal graphite marks repetitively mostly on paper in more of a Taoist fashion.

Why are these three artist so different in their choice of marks and where has this impulse sprung from---what sort of autobiographical satisfaction can they gain? Is it possible to every be satisfied---is their work ever done or their 'voice' ever truly understood by the audience?

I will post the questions I presented to the facutly in my next blog