Japanese Avant-Garde Artist Yayoi Kusama Dies at 97

Yayoi Kusama, the celebrated Japanese avant-garde artist whose unique vision transformed hallucinations into iconic art, has died at the age of 97. Her passing was confirmed on her official website, noting she died on August 14, though the cause of death was not disclosed.

Kusama gained international acclaim for her obsessive use of dots and her distinctive pumpkin motifs, which became synonymous with her artistic style. Her work often drew from childhood hallucinations, which she described as "flying dots" that pervaded her surroundings.

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I still see hallucinations even now.

Frustrated by the constraints of Japanese society, Kusama moved to New York in her late twenties. There, she rapidly established herself, not only as a painter but also as a writer and activist, participating in anti-war protests during the 1960s. Her influence reportedly extended to artists like Andy Warhol.

Throughout her career, Kusama was candid about her mental health journey. She voluntarily entered a mental hospital in Japan around 1977, residing there for decades while continuing her artistic practice, commuting daily to her studio. "I still see hallucinations even now," she stated in 2017, illustrating the persistent connection between her inner world and her art.

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Dots come flying everywhere, on my dress, the floor, things I'm carrying, throughout the house, the ceiling. And I paint them.