Japan's 'Polka Dot Queen' Artist Yayoi Kusama Dies at 97

Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, renowned for her polka dot themed artwork, has passed away at the age of 97. The artist's foundation confirmed her death on August 27, 2023, stating she had succumbed to multi-organ failure at a Tokyo hospital on August 14. Born in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, Kusama is celebrated globally for her repetitive polka dot designs, pumpkin sculptures, and captivating mirror installations.

Frequently seen in vibrant wigs and polka dot attire, Kusama is considered a pioneer of contemporary art. With a six-decade career, she remains among the most popular and commercially successful artists, with her paintings fetching millions at auctions. Inspired by hallucinations since her youth, Kusama translated these experiences into her art to confront her fears.

After studying painting in Kyoto, she relocated to the U.S. in 1957, eventually settling in New York, where she created large-scale paintings and soft sculptures. Kusama also held influential body painting festivals and fashion shows in New York, some of which protested the Vietnam War and other social issues. Returning to Japan in 1973, she was honored with Japan's prestigious Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, in 2006.

Her immersive Infinity Mirror Rooms series gained worldwide acclaim in recent years, including a dedicated museum in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward in 2017. Kusama was also featured in TIME magazine's list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2016.