Japanese polka dot artist Yayoi Kusama dies aged 97

Image source, Reuters Image caption, Polka dots, pumpkins and infinity room mirrors are hallmarks of Kusama's artistry

Japanese avant-garde artist Yayoi Kusama, who became famous for her colourful polka dot-covered sculptures and installations, has died at the age of 97.

Kusama, who had voluntarily lived in a psychiatric hospital for decades, was known for her bright red wig and her giant, quirky creations.

Her exhibitions drew large crowds around the world, and her vibrant works fetched some of the highest ever prices for a female artist.

A statement from her company said: "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."

Image source, Getty Images Kusama died at a hospital in Tokyo on 14 August, the statement said.