Yayoi Kusama, the Japanese contemporary artist internationally known for her polka-dot works and immersive installations, has died at the age of 97. she passed away at a hospital in Tokyo on August 14.
Kusama’s artistic career lasted more than seven decades and included painting, sculpture, installations, performance, film and literature.
Her distinctive use of repeated patterns, mirrored spaces and immersive environments made her one of Japan’s most recognised contemporary artists.
Kusama’s fascination with dots began with childhood hallucinations in which she said she saw the world covered in spots. These experiences later became a defining feature of her art, appearing across her paintings, sculptures and installations, along with nets, swirls and other repeated designs.
According to her studio, Kusama continued painting until her final days. It also said her wishes would be carried forward through art, bringing “hope and strength for the future” to people around the world.
Her work across multiple forms of art established her as a major figure in contemporary art.
