Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Artist Yayoi Kusama has died. She was 97.
She was one of Japan's most celebrated contemporary artists, known around the world for her signature polka dots and repetitive motifs.
Kusama first grabbed the art world's attention in the 1960s, showcasing her edgy sculptures and other works alongside the likes of Andy Warhol.
Those images laid the foundation for her mirrored Infinity Room installations in later years, which became social media sensations.
Kusama's legacy was tarnished later in life when her repeated racist comments against Black people came to light, including those made in her autobiography published in Japanese in 2002 and later in English. She apologized for those statements.
Kusama died earlier this month in her native Japan.
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Artist Yayoi Kusama has died. She was 97.
She was one of Japan's most celebrated contemporary artists, known around the world for her signature polka dots and repetitive motifs.
Kusama first grabbed the art world's attention in the 1960s, showcasing her edgy sculptures and other works alongside the likes of Andy Warhol.
Those images laid the foundation for her mirrored Infinity Room installations in later years, which became social media sensations.
Kusama's legacy was tarnished later in life when her repeated racist comments against Black people came to light, including those made in her autobiography published in Japanese in 2002 and later in English. She apologized for those statements.
Kusama died earlier this month in her native Japan.
Watch PBS News for daily, breaking and live news, plus special coverage. We are home to PBS News Hour, ranked the most credible and objective TV news show.
Sign up for Here's The Deal with Lisa Desjardins: to.pbs.org/41q6E8i
Subscribe for exclusive content in our newsletters: pbs.org/newshour/subscribe
PBS News podcasts: pbs.org/newshour/podcasts
Stream your PBS favorites with the PBS app: to.pbs.org/2Jb8twG
Find more from PBS News at pbs.org/newshour
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: bit.ly/2HfsCD6
Follow us:
TikTok: tiktok.com/@pbsnews
X: twitter.com/newshour
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