Japanese avant-garde artist Yayoi Kusama dies aged 97

Yayoi Kusama, the pioneering Japanese avant-garde artist celebrated for her immersive installations and signature polka-dot motifs, has died at the age of 97. Her company confirmed her passing on August 14, 2026, stating, "with profound sorrow... the passing of Yayoi Kusama at a hospital in Tokyo."

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with profound sorrow... the passing of Yayoi Kusama at a hospital in Tokyo on August 14, 2026, at the age of 97

Kusama dedicated her life entirely to artistic creation, forging an internationally acclaimed career. Her practice spanned visual art, performance, fiction, and poetry. Known for her bright-red wig and distinctive polka-dot attire, she voluntarily resided in a psychiatric hospital for decades. Her company stated, "She continued to paint until her final days, never setting aside her brush, and continued exploration of forever love and eternal soul."

Despite facing a male-dominated art scene in 1960s New York, Kusama made waves with her provocative exhibitions, including phallic sculptures and public nudity. Her "Infinity Mirror Rooms," created in 1965, offered visitors seemingly endless spaces and attracted millions. Later, her polka-dot and pumpkin works became highly sought after.

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Throughout an extraordinary lifetime devoted entirely to artistic creation, Kusama pursued an internationally acclaimed career as a pioneering avant-garde artist whose creative practice encompassed visual art, performance, fiction, and poetry

Distressed by male contemporaries copying her ideas, Kusama returned to Japan feeling dejected. She checked into a psychiatric facility, where she found doctors interested in art therapy, allowing her to resume her creative work. Her art became a vehicle for others to understand her world, often stemming from childhood hallucinations.

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She continued to paint until her final days, never setting aside her brush, and continued exploration of forever love and eternal soul.

Kusama's representation of Japan at the 1993 Venice Biennale marked a turning point, leading to widespread acclaim. In 2022, one of her paintings sold for approximately $10.5 million. Her work has since been featured in major museums and collaborated with luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, solidifying her status as a global cultural icon in her later years.

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We will carry forward Kusama's wishes and, through art, continue to bring hope and strength for the future to people around the world.