Japanese avant-garde artist Yayoi Kusama died on August 14, 2026, at a hospital in Tokyo due to multiple organ failure. Kusama, famous for her signature polka dots and pumpkin sculptures, was 97 years old. Her studio and Tokyo’s Yayoi Kusama Museum confirmed the news on Thursday, August 27.

In Hong Kong, fans and cultural figures expressed their condolences and admiration for Kusama's enduring legacy. Bernard Chan, chairman of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority board, highlighted the honor of hosting the “Yayoi Kusama: 1945 to Now” exhibition at the M+ museum, which ran from November 2022 to May 2023. Chan also shared that a treasured moment for him was traveling to Tokyo in March 2023 to thank Kusama in person.

Adrian Cheng Chi-kong, former CEO of New World Development, shared a photo of himself with Kusama taken in Japan in 2022. Local design studio AllRightsReserved also joined in expressing sadness over Kusama's passing.

Kusama's influence and artistic legacy continue to inspire generations across Asia and beyond.

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