Baby Stroller (also known as Accumulation No. 1 or similar baby carriage accumulation)
Sculpture, Mixed Media Assemblage • Yayoi Kusama
Style & Movement
Pop Art, Minimalism, and Surrealism (specifically the 'Accumulations' or 'Obsessional Art' phase)
Medium & Technique
Found objects (metal baby stroller), sewn fabric, stuffing, and silver metallic paint applied manually.
Creation Period
Circa 1964-1966
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 36 x 28 x 33 inches (91 x 71 x 84 cm); Three-dimensional free-standing sculpture.
Subject Description
A found vintage baby stroller is entirely covered in hand-sewn, phallic-shaped fabric protrusions. The entire structure, including the protruding 'tubers,' is unified by a monochromatic silver paint. The work explores themes of obsession, domesticity, and the artist's publicized anxieties regarding sexuality.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good (Museum quality); The silver paint appears largely intact though typical aging of soft sculpture materials (fabric and stuffing) may be present.
Estimated Market Value
$5,000,000 - $10,000,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$4,000,000 - $8,000,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely held in a major institutional collection (such as MoMA or LACMA) or a significant private collection. Originally created in New York during the artist's seminal mid-60s period.
Art Historical Significance
A quintessential example of Kusama's 'soft sculptures.' It represents her transition from 'Infinity Net' paintings to three-dimensional environments. It is highly significant for its feminist undertones and its precursors to later installation art.
Notable Features
The use of metallic silver paint is a hallmark of the mid-60s 'Accumulations.' The repetition of the phallic form is a direct expression of the artist's 'psychosomatic art' meant to conquer her sexual fears through visual saturation.
Condition Issues
Possible minor oxidation of silver paint, dust accumulation in crevices, and potential internal breakdown of foam or stuffing over several decades.
Conservation Recommendations
Display in a climate-controlled environment with low UV exposure. Avoid physical contact to prevent crushing the soft protrusions or flaking the paint. Periodic professional dusting with soft brushes is required.