Image: Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Madrid
The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía has announced the death of Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, who was born in 1929 and died in 2026. The Madrid museum shared the notice on 27 August 2026, expressing its condolences over the loss of an artist whose career became central to the understanding of international art.
According to the museum’s announcement, Kusama’s artistic trajectory began in the early 1950s. Over the course of that career, she was recognised as one of the precursors of Pop art, Minimalism, performance and feminist art, movements that shaped major strands of postwar artistic practice.
The brief statement places Kusama’s work within an international artistic context, describing her trajectory as fundamental to understanding that history. It does not provide further information about the circumstances of her death, forthcoming memorials or any related programme at the Reina Sofía.
Kusama’s death marks the end of a career that the museum characterises through its historical influence and its relationship to four of the most consequential artistic developments of the second half of the 20th century. The announcement identifies her nationality, dates and principal areas of significance but gives no additional biographical or exhibition details.
The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía’s notice was published through its official account on 27 August 2026.
