Yayoi Kusama, Japanese artist known for polka dots, dies at 97

Yayoi Kusama, the Japanese artist whose vibrant polka dots, pumpkin sculptures, and immersive "Infinity Mirror Rooms" transformed childhood hallucinations into a globally recognized artistic language, has died at the age of 97. Her studio announced that she passed away at a hospital in Tokyo on August 14, 2026. The cause of death was reported as multiple organ failure by Kyodo News, though her official statement did not disclose a cause. The announcement, made on August 27, 2026, by Yayoi Kusama Studio and her longtime representative, the David Zwirner gallery, described an artist who remained dedicated to her craft until the end.