Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, celebrated globally for her distinctive polka dot motifs and immersive art installations, has died. Yayoi Kusama Studio confirmed her passing on Thursday, stating she died on August 14 at a Tokyo hospital. She was 97.
The studio's statement indicated Kusama continued her artistic endeavors until her final days. "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. "We will carry forward Kusama’s wishes and, through art, continue to bring hope and strength for the future to people around the world."
Kusama, recognized as one of Japan's most esteemed contemporary artists, achieved widespread international acclaim, with her works exhibited at prominent institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art and the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York.
Her art was characterized by repetitive elements, often appearing as nets, swirls, or most famously, dots. These motifs adorned her paintings, sculptures, and installations in vibrant, psychedelic displays.
"Polka dots are fabulous," Kusama remarked in a 2012 interview with The Associated Press, often appearing in her signature orange bob wig and polka-dot attire. She expressed a lifelong dedication to her craft, stating, "I want to create a thousand paintings, maybe two thousand paintings, as many as I can draw. I will keep painting until I die."
Kusama often attributed her artistic style to her personal perception of the world, which she described as being covered in spots, a manifestation of hallucinations she experienced since childhood. She lived in and out of psychiatric institutions for decades but pursued her art career internationally, becoming one of the first Japanese women to move to New York in 1957.
Despite a soft-spoken demeanor, Kusama was unwavering in her artistic vision, maintaining her signature style for decades and making it accessible to a broad audience. In her later career, her art gained significant commercial success, leading to collaborations with fashion brands like Louis Vuitton and the creation of various licensed products featuring her designs.
Her commercial impact was notable, with one of her works fetching $5.8 million at a Christie's auction in 2008. In 2016, she received Japan's prestigious Order of Culture award, an honor that reaffirmed her commitment to her art. "I feel there is little left in my life, but I am now still fighting to the death for my art," she said upon receiving the award. "I am giving all I have so that many people will continue to be interested in my art, even after I am dead."
While categorized variously as pop, avant-garde, or feminist, Kusama often felt these labels did not fully encompass her artistic expression. Born into a middle-class family, she felt misunderstood by parents who preferred she marry and wear kimonos rather than pursue painting. This led her to seek opportunities in the United States.
Upon arriving in New York during the era of