Japanese contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama died on Aug. 14 at a hospital in Tokyo at the age of 97. Her representative, David Zwirner, and her studio announced her death on Wednesday and Thursday, citing multiple organ failure as the cause. Known for her extensive use of polka dots, pumpkins, and mirrored "Infinity Rooms," Kusama was one of Japan's most prominent artists, with works exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Tate.
Born in Matsumoto, Japan, Kusama moved to New York in 1957 after corresponding with artist Georgia O'Keeffe. She became a fixture of the avant-garde scene, staging anti-war "happenings" during the Vietnam War and creating repetitive works she called "infinity net paintings." Kusama stated throughout her life that her art was a response to lifelong hallucinations and panic attacks, using her creative process to manage the fear associated with these episodes.
In the early 1970s, Kusama returned to Japan and voluntarily checked herself into a psychiatric institution, where she resided for the remainder of her life while maintaining a studio across the street. Her career saw a significant resurgence in later decades, leading to the opening of the Yayoi Kusama Museum in Tokyo in 2017. Her studio stated Thursday that Kusama continued to paint until her final days, focused on themes of "forever love and eternal soul."
For art institutions and collectors, Kusama's work represented a significant draw for audiences. Museums such as the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn have hosted major exhibitions of her "Infinity Rooms," which often required timed entry due to their popularity. Her success was also notable for her role as a female artist from Japan who achieved international status during a period when the New York art world was described by curator Mika Yoshitake as "male-dominated." In 2016, she received the Order of Culture, the highest artistic honor awarded by the Japanese government.
The artist's passing leaves a legacy defined by the intersection of mental health and creative output. By publicly discussing her residence in a psychiatric facility and her use of art as a survival mechanism, Kusama influenced how the public views the relationship between psychological distress and productivity. While she is no longer active, her studio has pledged to carry forward her wishes, and her permanent museum in Tokyo will continue to display her collections. Her works remain part of the permanent collections at major global institutions, ensuring her "Infinity Rooms" and sculptures will remain accessible for future exhibitions.