• Yayoi Kusama, the avant-garde artist, died on August 14 at the age of 97.
• She is renowned for her polka dots, pumpkin sculptures, and Infinity Mirror Rooms.
• Kusama's art was deeply influenced by her experiences with hallucinations and mental health.
• Her work attracted huge audiences worldwide and she became a global icon in the contemporary art scene.
• She continued to paint until her final days, leaving behind a profound legacy.

Yayoi Kusama, the groundbreaking Japanese artist known for her vibrant polka dots and immersive installations, passed away at the age of 97 in a Tokyo hospital on August 14, 2026. Her studio confirmed the news, highlighting her ongoing creative spirit until the very end, stating, "She continued to paint until her final days, never setting aside her brush, and continued exploration of forever love and eternal soul," according to Channel News Asia and BBC.

Kusama's career, marked by her trademark motifs of polka dots and her awe-inspiring Infinity Rooms, spanned over seven decades. She dedicated her life to art, which she described as a means to cope with her hallucinations and mental health struggles experienced since childhood. "Through art, I realized in visible form the repetitive image inside of me," she expressed. Her unique approach transformed her personal experiences into public exhibitions that captured the imagination of millions worldwide, according to LA Times, CBS News, and SCMP.

NPR, Reuters, and Le Monde.

As global tributes poured in, her influence on the next generation of artists was evident. Kusama’s work resonated especially with younger audiences drawn to her whimsical yet profound visual language. Her recent exhibitions, including the retrospective at Hong Kong’s M+ museum, were among the most successful, attracting over 280,000 visitors. The exhibition showcased her lasting impact on the art world. "Her iconic pumpkin and infinite dots invited audiences into her extraordinary artistic universe," remarked cultural leaders following her passing, as stated by SCMP and Bangkok Post.