Yayoi Kusama, Japanese artist who became a global superstar, dies aged 97
Renowned Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama has passed away at the age of 97. Known for her iconic polka-dot patterns and immersive infinity mirror rooms, she became a global cultural phenomenon after decades of artistic exploration.
Why it matters
Kusama was a transformative figure in contemporary art whose work bridged the gap between avant-garde performance and mass-market social media popularity.
Yayoi Kusama, the Japanese outsider artist who reached superstar status after decades living in a psychiatric hospital, has died aged 97.
Kusama died in a Tokyo hospital on 14 August, her company Yayoi Kusama Inc announced in a statement on Thursday.
“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,” the statement read. “She continued to paint until her final days, never setting aside her brush, and continued exploration of forever love and eternal soul.”
“We will carry forward Kusama’s wishes and, through art, continue to bring hope and strength for the future to people around the world.”
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