Japanese avant-garde artist Yayoi Kusama, one of the most recognisable figures in contemporary art, has died at the age of 97. Known around the world for her polka dots, pumpkins and immersive Infinity Mirror Rooms, Yayoi Kusama transformed her lifelong experiences of hallucinations into a distinctive artistic language. Her death was announced on her official website, which said she died on August 14, 2026. No cause of death was given.
The artist remained creatively active until the end of her life. Her career spanned painting, sculpture, performance art, literature and installations, while her personal story included struggles with mental health, rejection and a determination to keep creating.
