MoMA Drops Skate Decks by Kusama

Skate decks are not really what you connect with Yayoi Kusama. But this October, MoMA will release a limited run of skateboards (500 each of two styles) designed by the lady of dots. The designs Yellow Trees (1994) and Dots Obsession (2018) carry the classic Kusama signature—all spots and bright colors. Though this isn’t a first for either party (MoMA has released similar pieces based on works by Andy Warhol and Basquiat, and Kusama made a custom Infinity Mirror Skate Deck in 2017), it is an exciting, hand-painted (Kusama painted over the digital renderings for an extra touch) collectible for art lovers and street kids alike.
MoMA reportedly told It’s Nice That that “the original skateboards began as samples based on digital renderings of details from Kusama’s work. They were sent to Kusama’s studio in Tokyo for her approval. After reviewing them, Kusama decided they needed to be altered. She then meticulously hand-painted her famous motif over each deck.”
 

 
 
Image via: MoMA