Georgia O‘Keeffe vs. Yayoi Kusama

We are entering the final round of this year's Arts Madness Tournament. For those listeners outside the United States, every spring, there is a giant basketball tournament called, March Madness, as 64 different college teams compete. The Arts Madness Tournament is a shameless attempt to ride the coattails of the immensely popular NCAA basketball tournament, but with 64 diverse artists. For the last five weeks, listeners have voted for their favorites narrowing the field from 64 down to just two finalists: Georgia O'Keeffe and Yayoi Kusama. 

One thing that I find particularly interesting in this matchup is that O'Keeffe and Kusama actually had a connection. While she was living in Japan thinking of becoming an artist, she was inspired by Georgia O'Keeffe and wrote to her. O'Keeffe responded offering her advice and encouragement. When Kusama was in New York, Georgia O'Keeffe actually came to her studio and offered her support even offering to provide Kusama a place to live. Kusama politely declined the invitation because while O'Keeffe was an established artist and could afford to stay in her beloved New Mexico desert home, Kusama was just starting out and needed to be in New York to be immersed in the art scene, make connections and establish her own career. 

This episode replays the background information from each artist's full episodes recorded earlier this season. You can vote for your favorite at www.WhoArtEdPodcast.com

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