Japanese avant-garde artist Yayoi Kusama, internationally known as the “polka dot queen,” has died at the age of 97. A statement issued by her company said she passed away at a hospital in Tokyo on August 14, with the announcement made on Thursday. Kusama devoted her long career to artistic creation and became one of Japan’s most internationally recognised contemporary artists.

Kusama developed a distinctive artistic language centred on repeated patterns, dots, mirrors and immersive environments. Her work frequently explored ideas of infinity, repetition and the relationship between the individual and the surrounding space. The visual character of her creations, particularly her extensive use of polka dots, became closely associated with her identity and helped establish her as a major figure in the global avant-garde art movement.

Throughout her career, Kusama worked across several forms of artistic expression rather than limiting herself to a single medium. Her creative practice included visual art, performance, fiction and poetry, reflecting the breadth of her interests and experimentation. Her approach challenged conventional boundaries within contemporary art and contributed to her reputation as a pioneering artist whose influence extended well beyond Japan.

Also Read: Car Rams Crowd In France’s Caen After Fight, Leaving One Dead And 10 Injured

Kusama’s career spanned decades during which she developed a distinctive presence in the international art world. Her installations and artworks attracted audiences worldwide, while her recurring motifs and immersive environments became particularly recognisable. Her artistic output remained closely connected to themes that she had explored throughout her life, including repetition and infinity, allowing her work to maintain a strong visual and conceptual identity.

The artist’s death marks the end of an extraordinary lifetime devoted almost entirely to creative work. Her company described her career as an internationally acclaimed one and highlighted her contribution as a pioneering avant-garde artist. Over the course of her life, Kusama established a body of work that crossed artistic disciplines and reached audiences far beyond traditional gallery and museum settings.

Kusama’s distinctive style and experimental approach made her one of the best-known Japanese artists internationally. Her use of polka dots and repeated patterns became a defining feature of her work, while her exploration of infinity and immersive spaces shaped her wider artistic legacy. She leaves behind a substantial body of work spanning visual art, performance, literature and poetry, securing her place as a major figure in modern and contemporary art.

Also Read: BJP Expands Punjab Push, Targets Amritpal Singh’s Rural Stronghold Ahead Of 2027 Elections