Yayoi Kusama, renowned for her colourful polka dots, immersive installations and groundbreaking avant-garde art, has died at the age of 97.

Japanese avant-garde artist Yayoi Kusama, whose distinctive polka-dot sculptures and immersive installations made her one of the world’s most recognisable contemporary artists, has died aged 97.

Kusama became internationally famous for her bold use of colourful dots, mirrored spaces and unusual large-scale sculptures. Her work attracted millions of visitors to exhibitions around the world and helped establish her as a leading figure in modern and contemporary art.

The artist was also widely recognised for her bright red wig and distinctive appearance, which became closely associated with her artistic identity.

Yayoi Kusama extraordinary artistic career

Yayoi Kusama devoted much of her life to artistic creation, working across visual art, performance, fiction and poetry. Her career spanned several decades and included paintings, sculptures, installations and experimental performances.

Her immersive exhibitions became particularly popular with global audiences, with visitors drawn to her colourful environments and mirrored installations that created the impression of infinite spaces.

Kusama’s works also achieved significant commercial success, with several pieces selling for among the highest prices ever recorded for a female artist.

Yayoi Kusama became a global art icon

Despite spending decades voluntarily living in a psychiatric hospital, Yayoi Kusama continued to produce art and maintain an influential international career.

Her company said in a statement that she had dedicated her extraordinary lifetime entirely to artistic creation and had built an internationally acclaimed career as a pioneering avant-garde artist.

Kusama’s distinctive artistic style, particularly her use of repetition, dots and infinity-themed installations, made her work instantly recognisable across generations.

Her legacy is expected to continue through museums, galleries and collections worldwide, where her colourful and unconventional creations remain major attractions.