The art world mourns the passing of Yayoi Kusama, a pop icon whose polka-dotted imagination redefined avant-garde art. From her iconic dotted pumpkins to her mesmerising Infinity Mirror Rooms, Kusama left an indelible mark. Tributes from Louis Vuitton to grassroots doodlers have flooded social media, celebrating the artist as a radical and complex force.
Glenn Scott Wright, president of the Victoria Miro Gallery, recalls decades of friendship and teatime with Kusama, calling her wisdom, humour and friendship a part of his eternal soul. Dean Sameshima, through old photographs, remembers the artist’s thrilling performances. British art historian Katy Hessel highlights Kusama’s philosophy of 'Love Forever,' a recurring theme in her work.
The Museum Ludwig in Cologne concluded a major retrospective just 12 days before Kusama’s passing, with over 480,000 visitors. Sondra Meszaros, an artist from Calgary, honours Kusama’s legacy, while David Zwirner, who represented her since 2013, notes her as the world’s most famous living artist. The Louisiana Channel’s next newsletter will recount a memorable exchange with Kusama.
