... a welcome change, providing insight into the artist’s pre-social media years ... Macellari cleverly introduces us to the figures that shaped Kusama’s art ... The novel’s color scheme, which is limited to teal, aqua, red, and warm pink, imbues it with its own distinctive character. Rather than trying to adopt Kusama’s aesthetic or accompany the story with straightforward depictions of characters and events, Macellari...remains faithful to her own style. Her writing is poignant as well ... Kusama: The Graphic Novel is an ode to the power of art[.]
Macellari cleverly deploys dots throughout the book: a nod to the theme, but also a way of communicating that for Kusama dots are everywhere ... Of course, Macellari does not solely rely on the dot to communicate her story: she integrates traditional Japanese prints into her work, giving texture to clothing, objects and skylines ... Macellari’s book offers some welcome insights.
Kusama is fascinating: an underdog who seeks solace in creativity and becomes a major figure in the art world, despite her health troubles and disapproving parents ... he distillation of Kusama’s long, full, and atypical life to a trim, fast-flowing graphic novel is admirable ... This marriage of text and visuals is magical ... a wonderful introduction to a gifted artist.
Macellari stylishly depicts Kusama’s life and various works ... she subtly and cleverly evokes the evolution of Kusama’s signature dots throughout. Art lovers who want their biographies with a heavy dose of the visual will appreciate this.
...splendid ... Macellari’s comics interpret and mirror Kusama’s art in a way that honors it but doesn’t imitate it. This satisfying glimpse into Kusama’s world reveals a place both tidy and trippy.
