Yayoi Kusama, the celebrated Japanese avant-garde artist known for her iconic polka dots, immersive installations and Infinity Mirror Rooms, has died at the age of 97.
Born in Matsumoto, Japan, in 1929, Kusama began drawing as a child and went on to build one of the most distinctive artistic careers of the modern era. Her work explored infinity, repetition, obsession and the boundaries of the self through paintings, sculptures, installations, performances, films, fiction and poetry.
Kusama moved to New York in 1957, where her experimental work became influential in the development of Minimalism and Pop Art. Her provocative sculptures and installations challenged conventions, while her Infinity Mirror Rooms offered audiences an unprecedented experience of seemingly endless space.
Her signature polka dots and pumpkin artworks later became internationally recognizable, turning Kusama into one of the world’s most commercially successful contemporary artists. After returning to Japan in 1973, Kusama continued creating art while living voluntarily in a psychiatric hospital from the late 1970s. She maintained a studio nearby and remained dedicated to her work throughout her later years.
Her company confirmed that she died at a hospital in Tokyo on August 14, 2026. According to the statement, Kusama continued painting until her final days. Kusama leaves behind an extraordinary artistic legacy — one defined by fearless experimentation, repetition and an enduring fascination with infinity. Her art may have explored endless space, but her influence on contemporary art is equally boundless.
