Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama dies at 97

Yayoi Kusama, the internationally acclaimed Japanese contemporary artist, has died at the age of 97. Her management company announced her passing in a statement on Thursday, August 27, 2026. Kusama died on August 14, 2026, in a Tokyo hospital, according to reports from The Japan Times.

Kusama was celebrated globally for her unique artistic vision, characterized by her iconic polka dot patterns, repetitive forms, and mesmerizing Infinity Mirror Rooms. These installations, in particular, became synonymous with her name and have been exhibited worldwide, captivating audiences with their immersive qualities. Her work profoundly influenced the development of contemporary art on a global scale.

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She dedicated her entire life, for 97 years, to her international career as an avant-garde artist active in various fields.

Throughout her prolific career, Kusama was recognized as a pioneering avant-garde artist, contributing to various artistic fields. Beyond her visual art, she also explored performance art, authored novels, and wrote poetry. Her dedication to her craft was unwavering; the statement from her company noted that she "dedicated her entire life, for 97 years, to her international career as an avant-garde artist active in various fields."

Kusama, born on March 22, 1929, in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, Japan, forged an international career that established her as one of Japan's most recognizable artists. Her distinctive style, marked by recurring dots and mirrored spaces, made her work instantly identifiable. She is considered a pivotal figure in Japanese avant-garde art, effectively bridging Japanese artistic traditions with the global contemporary art scene.

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Until the end of her life, she never put down her brush, and continued to explore eternal love and the soul.