Yayoi Kusama never stopped creating until her death at 97. Here’s what she said about productivity and aging.
Renowned Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama has passed away at 97, leaving behind a legacy of iconic polka-dot patterns and immersive art installations. Known for her tireless work ethic, she continued to create art until her final days, often citing her practice as a vital coping mechanism for her psychological struggles.
Why it matters
Kusama's death marks the end of a prolific career that significantly influenced contemporary art and brought mental health awareness into the creative sphere.
Yayoi Kusama has died at 97. WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama has died at 97 in Tokyo. She was best known for her use of polka dots and patterns in her work, as well as her immersive Infinity Mirror Rooms. Kusama continued creating art throughout her life, painting until her final days. Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, best known for her colorful, polka-dot-covered artwork and sculptures, has died. She was 97. Kusama's official website announced her death on Thursday, saying in a statement that the artist had died in a Tokyo hospital on August 14. It did not specify a cause of death. "She continued to paint until her final days, never setting aside her brush, and continued exploration of forever love and eternal soul," the statement read.
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