A pattern of performance

With All My Love for the Tulips, a polka-dot painting by Kusama. Photos provided to China Daily

"I hope that through this Asian tour, more visitors will be able to experience the charm of Yayoi Kusama's artworks, which goes beyond the boundaries of nation and politics to bring out feelings of love, hope and friendship," says Kim, the curator.

Cao Jingxing, a renowned scholar and TV commentator, made two visits to Kusama's studio in Japan during preparation for the exhibition in Shanghai.

"I was amazed at the contrast of her small size and great personality," Cao says.

When Cao asked about the pattern of an eye that appears repeatedly on Kusama's new paintings, she replied that "it's my eye. I see the world with them."

She goes on painting diligently every day since art is the most important thing in her life, Cao says.

"She used to say she won't stop creating until death," says Kim. "But now she says she might still be doing art even after death."

Three exhibitions of Kusama's work are touring the world at the same time, according to Kim. Besides the Asian tour, a Kusama exhibition is going on in different cities of Japan and another one is touring South America.