Yayoi Kusama, legendary Japanese artist known for her iconic polka dots, dies aged 97

Yayoi Kusama, the legendary Japanese artist known for painting the world in dots, passed away at age 97.

Kusama, recognised for her iconic work in polka dots, towering pumpkin sculptures, and stunning Infinity Mirror Rooms, attracted art lovers globally.

Kausama died due to multiple organ failure in a Tokyo hospital on August 14, as confirmed by the Japanese studio, which shared the news on August 27.

Kusama’s studio shared the statement on its official portal on Thursday, August 27, that read, "It's with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Yayoi Kusama at a hospital in Tokyo on August 14.”

“Throughout an extraordinary lifetime devoted entirely to artistic creation, Kusama pursued an internationally acclaimed career as a pioneering avant-garde artist whose creative practice encompassed visual art, performance, fiction, and poetry,” the statement read.

Kusama was widely recognised as contemporary art’s most buzzing and best-selling artist.

Her renowned ‘Infinity Mirror Rooms’, a large-scale immersive space that captivated audiences in endless reflections of colour and light, drew millions of gallery-goers, installed at the Victoria Miro Gallery.

Kusama, while battling health issues, continues to paint until her final days.

Her late career featured major retrospectives such as the Fondation Beyeler and Museum Ludwig’s touring exhibition from 2025 to 26 and ‘Yayoi Kusama: Infinite Love’ at SFMOMA in San Francisco in 2024.

Just weeks before she died, a major retrospective wrapped up at Cologne’s Museum Ludwig on August 2, 2026.