Yayoi Kusama, the Japanese artist whose polka dots and immersive installations made her a global superstar, has died aged 97. Her studio said she died in a Tokyo hospital on 14 August.
Key facts
- Yayoi Kusama died aged 97 in a Tokyo hospital on 14 August 2026.
- Her death was announced by her studio in a statement on her website.
- She was known for polka dot art, vivid paintings, sculptures and vast immersive installations.
- Her work fetched some of the highest ever prices for a female artist, according to the BBC.
- Kusama spent decades living in a psychiatric hospital before reaching superstar status.
Yayoi Kusama, the Japanese avant-garde artist who became a global superstar after decades living in a psychiatric hospital, has died aged 97. Her studio announced her death in a statement published on her website.
Kusama died in a Tokyo hospital on 14 August, according to the Guardian. Her company said the artist had lived a life “devoted entirely to artistic creation”.
From the 1950s to the 2020s, Kusama produced vivid paintings, sculptures and vast installations that often drew on her experience of hallucinations, the Guardian reported. Her signature polka dots became recognised around the world.
Sky News described her as known for her polka dot art, while the BBC said her colourful creations drew large crowds and fetched some of the highest ever prices for a female artist.
The BBC also noted that Kusama was known for creating extraordinary immersive worlds that delighted millions of visitors, cementing her reputation as one of the most popular artists of her era.
Why it matters
Kusama was one of the most recognisable and commercially successful artists in the world, drawing crowds of millions to her immersive installations. Her death marks the loss of a figure who bridged personal struggle and mass appeal, and who set records among female artists.
Frequently asked questions
When and where did Yayoi Kusama die?
According to the Guardian, Kusama died in a Tokyo hospital on 14 August, with her death announced later in the month by her studio.
What was Yayoi Kusama known for?
She was known for her polka dot art, vivid paintings, sculptures and vast immersive installations, which the Guardian says often drew on her experience of hallucinations.
How significant was her career commercially?
The BBC reported that her colourful creations drew large crowds and fetched some of the highest ever prices for a female artist.