Pioneering artist Yayoi Kusama, known for her polka dots, dies at 97

Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, whose vibrant polka dots became a global art phenomenon, has died at the age of 97. Her studio confirmed her passing on Thursday, August 14, noting her lifelong dedication to her craft. "She continued to paint until her final days, never setting aside her brush, and continued exploration of forever love and eternal soul," the studio stated. They vowed to carry forward her legacy, using art to bring hope and strength worldwide.

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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, one of Japan's most revered contemporary artists, achieved international acclaim with exhibitions at major institutions like the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Museum Ludwig in Germany. Her work, characterized by repetitive motifs such as netting, swirls, and most famously, dots, was celebrated for its psychedelic and joyful aesthetic. "Polka dots are fabulous," Kusama remarked in a 2012 interview, often appearing in her signature style of an orange bob wig and polka dot attire.

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Polka dots are fabulous.

She expressed a relentless drive to create, stating, "I want to create a thousand paintings, maybe two thousand paintings, as many as I can draw. I will keep painting until I die." Kusama attributed her artistic vision to her perception of the world as covered in spots, a reflection of childhood hallucinations. Despite decades of psychiatric treatment, her illness did not impede her career. She was among the first Japanese women to pursue art in New York in 1957.

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I want to create a thousand paintings, maybe two thousand paintings, as many as I can draw. I will keep painting until I die.

Though soft-spoken, Kusama was bold in her artistic assertions, maintaining her signature style for decades and making it accessible to a broad audience. In her later years, she experienced immense fame, collaborating with fashion brands like Louis Vuitton and licensing her designs for various products. Her commercial success was significant, with one of her works fetching $5.8 million at Christie's in 2008. In 2016, she received Japan's prestigious Order of Culture award, reaffirming her commitment to her art and its enduring impact.

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I feel there is little left in my life, but I am now still fighting to the death for my art. I am giving all I have so that many people will continue to be interested in my art, even after I am dead.