Yayoi Kusama, artist of dots and infinite spaces, dies at 97

Yayoi Kusama, the visionary artist celebrated for her iconic polka dots and immersive 'infinity rooms,' has died at the age of 97. Her passing marks a profound loss for the contemporary art world, leaving behind a legacy that has captivated audiences globally for decades.

Kusama's work, characterized by its obsessive repetition of patterns and exploration of themes like infinity, obliteration, and the cosmos, challenged conventional artistic boundaries. From her early days in New York's avant-garde scene to her later international acclaim, she consistently pushed creative limits.

Her signature style, featuring vibrant polka dots and mirrored installations that create seemingly endless reflections, became instantly recognizable. These immersive environments invited viewers into a unique sensory experience, blurring the lines between the self and the universe.

Throughout her long and prolific career, Kusama's art offered a powerful and often deeply personal reflection on her own psychological experiences, transforming them into universally resonant visual statements. Her influence on subsequent generations of artists is undeniable, cementing her status as one of the most important figures in modern and contemporary art.