Japanese Artist Yayoi Kusama Dies at 97, Celebrated Worldwide for Unique Art

Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama passed away at the age of 97, according to the Kyodo news agency. Kusama was one of the world's most popular artists and became a global brand, especially in the last decade of her life. She gained celebrity status due to her unforgettable presence and the distinctive aesthetics of her works. In 2016, Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people globally.

In 2021, a major retrospective exhibition of Kusama's work was held at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, showcasing over 70 years of her prolific career. Kusama was diagnosed with a mental health condition at the age of 10, and her engagement with art was deeply intertwined with her personal struggle and treatment. Her studio, where she created her unique and iconic pieces, was located across the street from the psychiatric institution where she lived in Tokyo.

Kusama was also the most tagged artist on social media, with hundreds of thousands of people worldwide photographing themselves in her distinctive environments. She was known for commercial collaborations with luxury brands, including a notable partnership with Louis Vuitton in 2012, which significantly raised awareness of her work and personal narrative. Kusama's magnetic and playful aesthetic was closely linked to her lifelong mental health challenges, making her art both a form of expression and therapy.