Kusama Pop Art Pumpkins

Yayoi Kusama’s pumpkins have become one of my students' favorite projects. Why, just the other day as I was rummaging through my file cabinet filled with inspiration, a few of my students were elbow deep in there with me. Suddenly one of my examples of a Kusama - Pop Art Pumpkin emerged to shouts of, “Hey, Mrs. C-G, this was my favorite! Can we do it again?”

I encouraged them to keep digging, and the entire time, the three 10-year-old archeologists kept reminiscing of last year when they created their own versions of Kusma’s Yellow Pumpkin in Naoshima.

This, I will admit, is one of my favorite lessons to teach, for so many reasons.

1 - I love teaching this lesson in the fall when the students all think we’re drawing pumpkins that will turn into jack-o-lanterns.  After all, what else would you do to a pumpkin? I then tell them we're going to cover them with dots. They think I've lost it. We plan, work tirelessly, and as projects begin nearing completion, we all start seeing spots.

2 – her avant-garde work lends itself to interpretation for elementary students. It’s bright, colorful, rhythmic, and encourages them to think outside the box. We add to this project the exploration of wax resist with liquid watercolors, which brings a new level of excitement during production.

3 –my mini galleries were introduced, years ago, during the first launch of this lesson. (See example below.)

Now, I’m not taking credit for inventing this idea, that goes to some other amazing art teacher out there. I am taking credit for not letting such a cool idea go by without using it. I love these not only for introducing the art and artist, but they're perfect for hanging with a hallway display to educate the viewers about the art and artist too.

4 – it’s a project in which everyone finds success! 

      …and they want to do it again. If only I’d let them.