Shams El-Mutwalli Dubai

Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama has established a strong reputation and unique style in the art world, now some of her earlier pieces have surfaced and will be sold at a single-owner collection sale in New York.

The work has gained recognition due to the unconventional use of red—an element uncommon in Kusama’s more recent pieces, according to Bonhams. The collection, which will be up for sale in May, is titled Kusama: The Collection of the late Dr Teruo Hirose. 

The eleven pieces in this collection while drastically different, set the foundation for Kusama’s art that is celebrated today.

These early pieces are not only rare due to stylistic components, but for what they represent as the collection acted as a form of ‘currency.’

The work in this collection was given to doctor Teruo Hirose—a friend of Kusama—who offered the artist free medical treatment and was gifted art in return.

This exchange redefines art in the grander scheme of things, honing in on the longstanding relationship between art and the economy.

The exclusivity and rarity that accompanies art is what makes it valuable, and a worthy substitute for monetary compensation.

The bind between art and money has grown tighter in recent years especially with the emergence of artists like Maurizio Cattelan—famous for his taped banana on the wall—and even Damien Hirst both renowned for their pricey pieces.

According to Reuters, in 2012 Damien Hirst reinforced this relationship further, with his view that “art’s the greatest currency in the world. Gold, diamonds, art — I think they are equal … I think it’s a great thing to invest in.”

Kusama’s early collection emphasizes this further as the collection is expected to sell for approximately $14 million USD.