GoKawiilYayoi Kusama, polka-dot pioneer of contemporary art, dies at 97
Yayoi Kusama Studio announced that the Japanese artist died on August 14 in a Tokyo hospital, without disclosing a cause of death. Kusama, celebrated for her repetitive dot motifs across paintings, sculptures and immersive installations, continued painting until her final days.
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Kusama's work reshaped how museums and audiences engage with immersive, repetitive visual art, influencing generations of artists and popular culture worldwide. Her passing marks the end of an era for one of the most globally recognized figures in contemporary Japanese art, whose institutions vow to continue her artistic legacy.
- Kusama died at 97 on August 14 in a Tokyo hospital; cause undisclosed.
- She was globally exhibited, including at MoMA, the Whitney, and Museum Ludwig.
- Her studio pledges to continue spreading hope through her art and legacy.
Yayoi Kusama: A Retrospective (art book) — A hardcover survey of Kusama's work is the best way to sit with the polka dots, infinity nets and mirror rooms that made her a global icon. Large-format plates capture the vibrancy of her paintings and installations far better than a phone screen, and it's a fitting tribute to an artist who painted until her final days.
See Yayoi Kusama: A Retrospective (art book) on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: fastcompany.com, 2026-08-27
Published there as: “Yayoi Kusama, artist of renowned polka dot paintings and installations, dies at 97”
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