VULNERABLE OBSESSIONS

A HARROWING GLIMPSE INTO YAYOI KUSAMA'S TROUBLING CHILDHOOD.​

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Born into an affluent family who owned a plant nursery, Yayoi Kusama was the fourth child of her parents. Though this may sound like a good foundation to grow up in, it was less than ideal. Kusama’s parents had an arranged marriage, resulting in a loveless relationship. Her father spent most of his time away from his family womanizing; leaving and harboring an angry wife at home. Her mother took out her frustrations on her youngest, most vulnerable daughter, Yayoi. Physically abusing and emotionally tormenting Yayoi, she made her daughter spy on her father’s affairs and sexual acts. This instilled a lifelong contempt for sexuality, for her “sexual obsession and fear of sex [sat] side by side”.