Abstract
This ethnographic study describes how an in-depth preschool learning pathway developed around children's investigations into a contemporary artist. It found that learning with Yayoi Kusama's art favoured habits of exploration, reflection, revisitation and development of ideas, and enriched children's visual awareness, inclusive art-learning conversations and their learning in mathematics, literacy and visual art. It argues that sustained learning pathways, scaffolded media investigations, first-hand engagements with real artworks and well-informed teachers can enhance curiosities, independent inventive dispositions and confident art experiences in the early years.