Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, who filled the world with polka dots, dead at 97

Celebrated Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, globally recognized for her distinctive polka-dot motifs, immersive installations, and vibrant artwork, has passed away at the age of 97. Kusama died on August 14, 2026, at a hospital in Tokyo. The news of her death was publicly announced on Thursday, August 27, 2026, by her company, Yayoi Kusama Inc., and her studio. While many reports did not specify a cause of death, one source indicated multiple organ failure, and another mentioned a brain hemorrhage several weeks prior from which she did not recover.

Throughout her prolific career, which spanned more than six decades, Kusama captivated audiences with her "infinity mirror rooms," iconic pumpkin sculptures, and a wide array of paintings. She openly discussed her mental health struggles, which significantly influenced her art, and voluntarily resided in a psychiatric hospital in Tokyo from 1977, continuing to produce art from a nearby studio until her final days.