Polka Dot Queen Yayoi Kusama Dies After Lifelong Artistic Journey in Mental Hospital

Yayoi Kusama, the renowned Japanese artist known as the Polka Dot Queen, passed away a few days ago at the age of 97. She spent decades creating art while voluntarily residing in a mental hospital, later gaining worldwide recognition. Kusama was famous for her colorful dots and continued painting until the very end of her life.

Kusama only achieved global fame after reaching her 80s and 90s. During the 1960s, New York’s art scene was dominated by men, and Kusama struggled to have her ideas and art accepted. After returning to Japan, she admitted herself to a mental hospital where she continued creating art through art therapy.

In 1993, Kusama became the first artist to represent Japan at the prestigious Venice Biennale. In 2022, her paintings sold for approximately 10.5 million dollars. Her Infinity Mirror Rooms exhibition at the famous Tate Modern Gallery in London became one of the most visited exhibitions in history. Kusama was born in 1929 in Matsumoto, Japan.

Her art heavily featured polka dots, which she regarded as symbols of peace and safety. In recent years, social media helped increase her popularity significantly among younger generations.