August 27, 2026 | 11:57 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Japanese avant-garde artist Yayoi Kusama, known as the “polka dot queen” for her works featuring repeating polka dot motifs, has died at the age of 97.
According to a Kyodo News report on Thursday, the foundation established to support the artist confirmed on Thursday, August 27, that Yayoi Kusama died of multi-organ failure at a hospital in Tokyo, Japan, on August 14, as quoted by ANTARA.
Born in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, Yayoi Kusama is known worldwide for her works featuring recurring polka dot motifs, pumpkin sculptures, and stunning mirror-based installations.
Yayoi Kusama, who often appears wearing colorful wigs and striking clothes with her signature polka dot motifs, is one of the pioneers of contemporary art.
With a career spanning over 60 years, she is also recognized as one of the most popular and commercially successful artists. Her exhibitions consistently attract large crowds worldwide, while his paintings have sold for millions of US dollars at auction.
From a young age, Yayoi Kusama began experiencing hallucinations, which she later depicted in her works as a way to overcome her fears.
After studying painting at an art school in Kyoto, Kusama moved to the United States in 1957. She later settled in New York, where she produced large-scale paintings and soft sculptures.
She also held body painting festivals and fashion shows there, some of which were protests against the Vietnam War and other social issues.
Kusama returned to Japan in 1973. In 2006, the Japanese government awarded her the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, one of Japan's honorary state awards.
In recent years, her popular installation series, "Infinity Mirror Rooms," has gained worldwide recognition. These immersive installations allow visitors to experience a space with endless reflections of themselves. The work's popularity has also increased through Instagram.
In 2017, Kusama opened a museum dedicated to her work in an area near her residence in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward.
In fact, Yayoi Kusama was also included in TIME magazine's list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2016.
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