Yayoi Kusama dies at 97 after a lifetime dedicated to art

Yayoi Kusama, one of Japan’s most influential contemporary artists, has died at the age of 97. Her death was announced by Yayoi Kusama Inc., which said the celebrated artist passed away at a hospital in Tokyo on August 14.

Kusama devoted almost her entire life to art, building an internationally acclaimed career that crossed traditional boundaries. Her creative work included paintings, sculptures, installations, performances, fiction and poetry. According to the statement released by her company, she continued painting until the final days of her life and remained committed to exploring themes of love, infinity and the eternal soul.

Her death marks the end of an extraordinary artistic journey that transformed personal struggles and vivid hallucinations into a distinctive visual language recognised around the world.

Who was Yayoi Kusama?

Born in Matsumoto, Japan, in 1929, Kusama experienced hallucinations from an early age. She described seeing flowers, patterns and other shapes that appeared to surround her and even communicate with her. Drawing became an important way for her to cope with these experiences.

Those early encounters with recurring patterns later became central to her artistic identity. Kusama developed a style characterised by psychedelic colours, repeated dots, mirrors, infinity and the idea of “self-obliteration.” Her work often explored the relationship between the individual and the universe, creating immersive experiences that appeared to stretch beyond physical boundaries.

Among her most recognisable creations are her brightly coloured paintings, pumpkin sculptures and famous “Infinity Mirror Rooms.” These installations use mirrors, lights and repeated forms to create the illusion of endless space.

Even late in life, Kusama continued to experience hallucinations. In a 2017 interview, she explained that she still saw dots appearing everywhere around her, including on her clothes, floors, belongings, ceilings and throughout her home. She said she continued to paint these visions.

Kusama also became known for her provocative performances and happenings. During her career, she staged controversial body festivals and carried out uninvited installations, challenging conventional ideas about art, sexuality and society.

Struggles with mental health

Kusama was open about the psychological difficulties that shaped much of her life. Her troubled childhood and difficult family relationships contributed to years of emotional struggles, while panic attacks, suicidal thoughts and other challenges affected her personally and professionally.

Yet she repeatedly described art as the force that helped her survive. In a 2014 interview with Vogue Japan, she said drawing and creating art had prevented her from ending her life and allowed her to continue living.

The death of her close friend and fellow artist Joseph Cornell also had a profound impact on her. In 1977, Kusama voluntarily entered a psychiatric hospital in Tokyo, where she eventually chose to live permanently. She continued producing art from a nearby studio, maintaining a disciplined routine that allowed her creativity to remain at the centre of her life.

Global recognition

After periods of limited recognition, Kusama’s career experienced a major resurgence in the late 20th century. Her participation in the 1993 Venice Biennale played an important role in bringing renewed international attention to her work.

Over the following decades, her installations attracted enormous audiences around the world, turning Kusama into a global cultural icon. Her distinctive use of dots, mirrors and repetition became instantly recognisable across galleries, museums and public spaces.

Her commercial success also reflected her growing influence. Her 1959 painting Untitled (Nets) sold for $10.5 million in 2022, demonstrating the lasting demand for her work.

Kusama’s legacy extends far beyond individual paintings or installations. She transformed deeply personal experiences into art that explored infinity, identity, obsession and existence. By continuing to create despite decades of personal struggles, she established herself as a pioneering figure whose influence will continue to shape contemporary art for generations.