- Yayoi Kusama, a Japanese avant-garde artist known worldwide for her repetitive imagery of polka dots and immersive installations, died of multiple organ failure at a Tokyo hospital on August 14, 2026, at the age of 97, as confirmed by a foundation set up to support her.
- The foundation stated, "It is with profound sorrow that the passing of Yayoi Kusama at a hospital in Tokyo on August 14, 2026, at the age of 97," confirming her death on August 27, 2026.
- Kusama was a trailblazer in contemporary art, with a career spanning over 60 years, and was known for her bright-red wig and quirky polka-dot ensembles.
- Kusama was born in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, and began experiencing hallucinations at a young age, which she later depicted in her works as a means to overcome fears.
- In 1957, she moved to the United States, settling in New York, where she held body painting festivals and fashion shows, some in protest against the Vietnam War.
- Kusama returned to Japan in 1973 and was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, by the Japanese government in 2006.
- In 2016, she was named to TIME magazine's list of 100 most influential people in the world.
- Kusama opened her own museum in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward in 2017, dedicated to her works.
- Her 2017 show at National Gallery Singapore broke attendance records, drawing more than 235,000 visitors over three months.
Yayoi Kusama, a pioneering figure in contemporary art, passed away on August 14, 2026, at the age of 97 due to multiple organ failure. Her artistic journey began in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, where she experienced hallucinations that influenced her work.1467
After moving to the United States in 1957, Kusama became known for her large paintings and soft sculptures, as well as her immersive installations like the Infinity Mirror Rooms, which gained immense popularity on social media.5
Her career, spanning over 60 years, was marked by both critical acclaim and commercial success, with her works auctioned for millions. “She was a great proponent of love and beauty so badly needed at a time of hatred and wars,” said art collector Kim Camacho, reflecting on her impact.
Kusama's life was intertwined with her art, as noted by Mae Anderson, chairperson of Art Outreach Singapore: “There is exuberance, wit and visual seduction in the work, but also a much harder story beneath it.”
In 2017, she opened a museum dedicated to her works in Tokyo, further solidifying her legacy. Her exhibitions drew record crowds, including over 235,000 visitors to her 2017 show at the National Gallery Singapore.910
Kusama was recognized globally, being named to TIME magazine’s list of 100 most influential people in 2016 and receiving the Order of the Rising Sun from the Japanese government in 2006. Her passing is seen as a significant loss to the art world and beyond.
“Kusama's 2017 show at National Gallery Singapore drew over 235,000 visitors, breaking attendance records. She was named to TIME's 100 most influential people in 2016 and received Japan's Order of the Rising Sun in 2006.”
BBC
