‘The only method I have found that relieved my illness is to keep creating art’: remembering Yayoi Kusama
The Japanese artist, acclaimed for infinity mirror rooms, sprawling seas of polka dots, and dancing pumpkins, has died at 97.
Yayoi Kusama, a renowned Japanese artist, died at the age of 97, leaving behind a legacy that transcended art movements and captivated the world. Her most successful exhibition, held at the National Gallery of Victoria in 2024–25, drew a staggering 570,537 ticketed visitors. Kusama's art, characterized by infinity mirror rooms, polka dot seas, dancing pumpkins, and reflective surfaces, had a profound impact on various art forms, including pop art, performance art, minimalism, environmental art, video art, fashion, filmmaking, and feminism.
Born on March 22, 1929, in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, Japan, Kusama faced a difficult childhood marked by hallucinations and a physically abusive mother. Encouraged to pursue her artistic endeavors, she began creating paintings using polka dot and net motifs that appeared in her visions. Despite her mother's discouragement, Kusama's art became a refuge during her formative years.
Kusama's artistic journey took a significant turn in 1957 when she traveled to the United States and settled in New York, becoming an integral part of the post-war American art scene. Her work, which included large paintings, soft sculptures, and environmental sculptures using mirrors and electric lights, garnered significant applause. Kusama's influence extended to artists such as Claes Oldenburg and Andy Warhol, and she actively participated in happenings, film productions, and newspaper publication.
Kusama's mental and physical health began to deteriorate during her time in America, leading to attempts at suicide. In 1973, she returned to Japan and lived in the Tokyo psychiatric institute, Seiwa Hospital, for the rest of her life. Despite her struggles, Kusama continued to create art, finding solace and a path to live through her art.
Her work received critical acclaim, with major retrospective exhibitions held in Los Angeles, New York, London, Tokyo, and Washington, D.C. In 2017, the Yayoi Kusama Museum opened in Tokyo, solidifying her status as one of the most acclaimed artists of her time.
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