Yayoi Kusama, Japanese artist who turned hallucinations into art, dies at 97
Yayoi Kusama, Japanese artist who turned hallucinations into art, dies at 97
Japanese avant-garde artist Yayoi Kusama, known for her obsessive dot-covered paintings and pumpkin motifs, died on Aug 14 at a hospital in Tokyo. She was 97.
Kusama turned hallucinations she experienced since childhood – flashing lights, dots and flowers – into art. Repetitive motifs, from nets and swirls to her signature polka dots, became the hallmark of her work.
Frustrated by the confining nature of Japanese society, Kusama moved to New York at 27, where she quickly made a name for herself. She also wrote, joined anti-war activities in the 1960s and reportedly influenced artists such as Andy Warhol.
Candid about her mental health struggles, Kusama voluntarily entered a psychiatric hospital after returning to Japan in the 1970s. She lived there for decades, travelling to her nearby studio each morning to work.
Kusama found greater fame later in life, exhibiting around the world and collaborating with brands including Louis Vuitton. In 2016, she received the Order of Culture, Japan’s most prestigious award for artists.
