Yayoi Kusama, Japanese polka dot artist and global superstar, dies aged 97

Kusama was known around the world for her vivid polka dot paintings and infinity rooms, inspired by her hallucinations.

Kusama was known around the world for her vivid polka dot paintings and infinity rooms, inspired by her hallucinations.

She was famous for her spotted pumpkins and infinity room mirrors.

She was famous for her spotted pumpkins and infinity room mirrors.

Iconic artist Yayoi Kusama dies at 97 in Tokyo  ITVX

Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, who splashed her signature polka dots on paintings, sculptures and museum installations around the world, has died, her studio said Thursday. She was 97.

Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama dies at 97  CNN

Born into a middle-class family, Kusama felt misunderstood by parents who wanted her to marry rather than pursue art. She eventually left for the US.

Her colourful creations drew large crowds and fetched some of the highest ever prices for a female artist.

Skip to contentThursday, August 27, 2026Keep reading by creating a free account or signing in.Sign outKeep reading by creating a free account or signing in.Sign outWiresApFILE - Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama poses for photographers in front of her painting "Love Arrives at the Earth Carrying with it a Tale of the Cosmos

Renowned contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama has died at age 97 in a Tokyo hospital. Kusama's work was shown in museums around the world. Repetitive motifs in various shapes were her trademark, especially dots that danced on canvases or sparkled as balls or dots of light in her installations.

Kusama, who was candid about her mental health struggles, said New York gave her neuroses. Around 1977, a few years after returning to Japan, she voluntarily entered a mental hospital.

Yayoi Kusama's controversial 1960s performances to Infinity Mirror Rooms have built a global legacy.

The paintings, sculptures and museum installations of Yayoi Kusama, one of Japan's most respected contemporary artists, were widely exhibited around the world.

"It is with profound sorrow that the passing of Yayoi Kusama at a hospital in Tokyo on August 14, 2026, at the age of 97," the statement said.

The Japanese artist has died at age 97. Kusama's polka dotted pumpkins, "Infinity Rooms," and other repetitive and dreamlike artworks have been shown in museums and galleries worldwide.

Contemporary Artist Yayoi Kusama Dies at 97  WSJ

Kusama died Aug. 14 at a hospital in Tokyo, Yayoi Kusama Studio said.

TOKYO -- Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, who splashed her signature polka dots on paintings, sculptures and museum installations around the world, has died, her studio said Thursday. She was 97.Kusama died Aug. 14 at a hospital in Tokyo, Yayoi Kusama Studio said.“She continued to paint until her final days, never setting

From works of "self-obliteration" to polka dotted nudes, the pioneering artist developed a unique body of work likely to be relevant for years to come.

Yayoi Kusama, who splashed polka dots across art world, dies at 97 in Tokyo  AP News

Kusama, known for her polka dot-covered paintings and immersive installations, died on Aug. 14, according to an announcement on her website

Yayoi Kusama, Who Splashed Polka Dots Across Art World, Dies At 97  HuffPost

Yayoi Kusama, who splashed polka dots across art world, dies at 97  Toronto Star

The Japanese artist’s polka-dot covered paintings, phallic sculptures and public performances caused a stir in New York City and Europe in the 1960s.

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Yayoi Kusama, a Japanese avant-garde artist known worldwide for her repetitive imagery of polka dots, pumpkin sculptures and mesmeriz

The artist’s hallucinatory works made her a global superstar.

The artist’s hallucinatory works made her a global superstar.

Kusama was known worldwide for her signature polka dots, repetitive patterns and immersive "Infinity Mirror Rooms."

A statement on her website stated that the artist died in a Tokyo hospital on Aug 14.

From the 1950s to the 2020s, Kusama produced vivid paintings, sculptures and vast installations that often drew on her experience of hallucinations 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

Over a career spanning decades, Dolly Parton amassed a legion of fans as a country music sweetheart and global superstar. Her proudest achievement, she once said, would always be her songwriting.