London, July 2024 – Transport for London (TfL), in collaboration with British Land and the City of London Corporation, has unveiled a monumental new sculpture by internationally renowned artist Yayoi Kusama at London’s bustling Liverpool Street Station. Titled Infinite Accumulation, this piece marks Kusama’s first permanent public artwork in the UK and stands as her largest public sculpture worldwide.
Infinite Accumulation is a site-specific work situated outside the new Elizabeth line entrance at Liverpool Street Station. The installation spans over 10 meters in height and 12 meters in width, covering an expansive area of approximately 100 meters in length. The sculpture features gleaming silver spheres that soar above the ground, each highly polished to reflect the surroundings. These dynamic, serpentine arches, intuitively hand-twisted by Kusama herself, interact with and define the public spaces, creating a reflective and ever-changing visual experience for passersby.
Yayoi Kusama, an iconic figure in contemporary art, is best known for her extensive use of polka dots. This motif has become synonymous with her name since its emergence in her work during the 1960s. Kusama’s polka dots symbolise both the unity and instability of the cosmos, as well as Earth’s precarious position within it. In Infinite Accumulation, the dots are expanded into interconnected forms, which embody Kusama’s vision of individuality and collective existence within the urban landscape of London.
The installation of Infinite Accumulation was co-funded by British Land and the City of London Corporation, and it represents the final artwork commissioned by the Crossrail Art Programme for the Elizabeth Line. This program is recognized as the most significant collaborative public art commissioning process in a generation. Kusama’s piece joins other notable works on the Elizabeth line, including Douglas Gordon’s Underground Overheard at Tottenham Court Road Station and Chantal Joffe’s A Sunday Afternoon in Whitechapel at Whitechapel Station. It also complements Conrad Shawcross’s Manifold (Major Third) 5:4, unveiled at the western entrance of Liverpool Street Station in 2023.
Born on March 22, 1929, in Matsumoto, Japan, Yayoi Kusama is an avant-garde artist and writer who has gained international acclaim for her innovative work. Kusama moved to New York City in the late 1950s, where she became a prominent figure in the avant-garde art scene. She is celebrated for her immersive installations, sculptures, and paintings, many of which feature her signature polka dots and repetitive patterns. Kusama’s work often explores themes of infinity, self-obliteration, and the interconnectedness of life.
Kusama’s contributions to the art world have been widely recognized, and her works have been exhibited in major museums and galleries worldwide. Despite her global success, Kusama continues to produce art from her studio in Japan, where she has lived since the 1970s.
Reflecting on her new installation, Kusama remarked, “London is a massive metropolis with people of all cultures moving constantly. The spheres symbolise unique personalities, while the supporting curvilinear lines allow us to imagine an underpinning social structure.”
Infinite Accumulation at Liverpool Street Station enhances the area’s architectural landscape. It offers a profound visual and reflective experience for the millions of commuters and visitors who pass through one of Britain’s busiest stations. This remarkable installation underscores the transformative power of public art in urban spaces, fostering a deeper connection between individuals and their environment.