Yayoi Kusama, Japanese Artist Who Painted Polka Dots, Dies at 97

Yayoi Kusama, the renowned Japanese artist famous for her polka dot motifs and immersive, hallucination-inspired works, passed away at the age of 97 on August 14. According to her official website, the cause of death was multiple organ failure. Kusama's signature polka dots were rooted in her childhood visions, which she used to express themes of infinity and obliteration.

Throughout her career, she maintained a connection to her mental health struggles, seeing her art as both a product and a relief from her experiences. Her productivity was remarkable, with many of her famous works created while living at Seiwa Hospital in Tokyo since 1977.

Emerging in the 1960s as part of the New York Avant-Garde scene, Kusama gained mainstream recognition in her later years. Her striking exhibitions featuring polka dot-filled sculpture rooms, Infinity Net paintings, and mirrored installations attracted crowds worldwide. By 2024, she became the top-grossing contemporary artist, surpassing artists like David Hockney and Lucian Freud with $58.8 million in sales.

Born in Matsumoto, Japan in 1929, Kusama's childhood was marked by discomfort due to her health issues and family tensions. She found solace in art at a young age, creating complex paintings and obsessively drawing pumpkins. She later moved to the US, where she expanded her artistic repertoire to include "happenings" — public performances often with political or sexual undertones. These provocative events, such as Grand Orgy to Awaken the Dead, led to numerous legal issues and increased her notoriety.

Returning to Tokyo in 1970, Kusama faced challenges in reestablishing her provocative brand of art. Hospitalizations and the blocking of provocative photos further isolated her. However, in the 1990s, her art gained widespread acclaim, and she became a household name. Famous for her distinctive spotted ensembles and dot-covered merchandise, Kusama receded from public life as her fame grew.