Yayoi Kusama

Yayoi Kusama is a pioneering artist whose immersive installations and polka-dot motifs explore themes of infinity and self-obliteration, traversing mediums including painting, sculpture, and performance. Born in Matsumoto, Japan, in 1929, Kusama gained prominence in the 1960s New York avant-garde scene, notably influencing movements such as pop art and minimalism with her radical happenings and installations.

Her work spans various mediums, including painting, sculpture, performance, video art, fashion, and literature. Kusama's art often explores themes of infinity, self-obliteration, and psychological states, reflecting her own experiences with mental health issues.

Kusama's career has been marked by significant exhibitions and institutional acclaim. She represented Japan at the 1993 Venice Biennale and has been the subject of major retrospectives at Tate Modern, London (2012), and the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York (2012). Her "Infinity Mirrors" tour from 2017 to 2019, featured at the Hirshhorn Museum, Washington, DC, and The Broad, Los Angeles, underscored her global appeal. Kusama's works are housed in prestigious collections, including the Museum of Modern Art, New York, and the Centre Pompidou, Paris. Her representation by David Zwirner since 2013 has further solidified her market presence, with successful solo exhibitions such as "I Who Have Arrived in Heaven" (2013).

Currently based in Tokyo, Kusama's work remains in high demand, with pieces regularly achieving significant auction results. The Yayoi Kusama Museum, established in Tokyo in 2017, continues to showcase her extensive oeuvre, reinforcing her status as a blue-chip artist.

Her art is held in prestigious collections worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, the Tate Modern in London, and the National Gallery of Singapore. Kusama has received numerous accolades, including the Praemium Imperiale in 2006. Her market remains robust and liquid, with her works frequently traded at high prices in art markets globally​