Who was Yayoi Kusama? Life and legacy of the artist behind ‘Infinity Rooms’

Yayoi Kusama, an iconic Japanese artist, took her last breath at the age of 97.

The announcement of her passing came from the company, Yayoi Kusama Inc, that confirmed that Kusama passed away in Tokyo hospital on August 14.

The statement reads, “Throughout an extraordinary lifetime devoted entirely to artistic creation, Kusama pursued an internationally acclaimed career as a pioneering avant garde artist whose creative practice encompassed visual art, performance, fiction, and poetry,” the statement read. “She continued to paint until her final days, never setting aside her brush, and continued exploration of forever love and eternal soul.”

“We will carry forward Kusama’s wishes and, through art, continue to bring hope and strength for the future to people around the world.”

Who Was Yayoi Kusama? A look to into her life and art

Kusama was born in Matsumoto, Japan in 1929 and since her troubled childhood she experienced hallucinations where flowers and patterns would swarm and talk to her, encouraging them to draw as a coping mechanism.

So it is no mistake to say that, Kusama emerged as the acclaimed Japanese avant-grade artist who transformed her hallucinations into work.

Her work primarily focused on psychedelic color schemes, the infinite, and "self-obliteration", inspired by lifelong hallucinations." Her notable works ranged from vibrant dot-covered paintings and pumpkin sculptures to “infinity room” installations.

She told reporters in 2017, “I still see hallucinations even now. Dots come flying everywhere, on my dress, the floor, things I'm carrying, throughout the house, the ceiling. And I paint ​them."

She also marked her name in activism as Kusama staged provocative body festivals and uninvited installations that sparked controversy.

Mental health struggles

Owing to her troubled childhood and family conflict, Kusama suffered from mental health struggles but she never hid these struggles and talked about those issues.

"What kept ​me from ending my life was drawing and making art. That has never changed. It was through discovering ‌my love ⁠of art that I have been able to survive and continue living to this day," she said in a 2014 interview with Vogue Japan.

But her mental health continues to deteriorate marked by panic attacks, suicide attempts and death of close friend and artists Joseph Cornell. Ultimately she decided to check into a psychiatric hospital in 1977 where she chose to live permanently while working from a nearby studio daily.

Her art regained momentum in the late 90’s with the 1993 Venice Biennale. Her art drew huge fame and crowds internationally as one painting, Untitled (Nets)(1959), sold for $10.5 million in 2022.