Who was Yayoi Kusama? Japanese 'Polka-Dot Queen' who challenged art with nude happenings dies at 97; Her painting 'Untitled (Nets)' fetched nearly $10.5 million at auction

Yayoi Kusama, the celebrated Japanese avant-garde artist known as the 'Polka-Dot Queen', has died at 97. She was known for transforming repetitive dots, pumpkins and psychedelic patterns into a distinctive global art style. Kusama also became famous for her provocative 1960s 'happenings', in which she used nude participants and painted bodies with colorful polka dots as part of her experimental performances. Born in Matsumoto, Japan, Kusama moved to New York in 1957 and became an influential figure in the avant-garde art scene. Her career later expanded into sculpture, installations and the famous Infinity Mirror Rooms. Kusama died in hospital on August 14, according to a statement by the Yayoi Kusama Museum, adding that she continued to paint until her final days.

"It is with profound sorrow that (we announce) the passing of Yayoi Kusama at a hospital in Tokyo on August 14," read the statement.

"Throughout an extraordinary lifetime devoted entirely to artistic creation, Kusama pursued an internationally acclaimed career as a pioneering avant garde artist whose creative practice encompassed visual art, performance, fiction, and poetry. She continued to paint until her final days, never setting aside her brush, and continued exploration of forever love and eternal soul."



Kusama was born on March 22, 1929 and grew up during a difficult period of her life. She later spoke openly about intense fear and emotional struggles during childhood, including experiencing thoughts of death. Her early interest in art developed while she was still young. She studied traditional Japanese painting at the Kyoto Municipal School of Arts and Crafts after receiving guidance from painter Kakei Hibino.

Kusama eventually developed an unmistakable artistic language built around vivid colors, endless dots and intricate net patterns. Her fascination with repetition became the foundation of many of her paintings, sculptures and installations. She also became closely associated with pumpkins decorated with her trademark polka dots. Kusama connected these recurring visual elements to hallucinations she had experienced since childhood, turning deeply personal experiences into bold artistic creations.


Seeking greater artistic freedom, Kusama moved to the United States in 1957 and spent roughly 16 years working in New York. She became part of the city's experimental art scene and gained attention for unconventional performances. Some of her most provocative happenings involved painting polka dots on nude participants, earning her the nickname 'Queen of Happenings'. She also developed a reputation for pushing against traditional ideas about art and performance.

Kusama returned to Japan in 1973 but continued building her international reputation. In 1993, she represented Japan at the Venice Biennale as the country's sole artist. Her later museum exhibitions and retrospectives established her as one of the world's most recognizable contemporary artists.

Her achievements were recognized with major honors, including the Order of Arts and Letters in 2003, the title of Person of Cultural Merit in 2009, and the Order of Culture in 2016. Her distinctive dots and immersive installations ultimately became hallmarks of modern art.


CNN reported that Kusama’s work has commanded extraordinary prices in the international art market. In May 2022, her early painting 'Untitled (Nets)' fetched nearly $10.5 million at auction, establishing a new auction record for the Japanese artist at the time. Her popularity among collectors remained strong in the years that followed.

In 2023 alone, Kusama’s artworks generated approximately $190.5 million in auction sales, with pieces sold in major markets including Hong Kong and New York, according to the media outlet. These figures cemented her position as one of the world’s most commercially successful and sought-after contemporary artists.