Yayoi Kusama

On September 11, 2026 opens a landmark retrospective of Yayoi Kusama, one of the most influential and pioneering artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. This expansive exhibition will explore more than seven decades of Kusama’s groundbreaking work. A wide range of artistic media will be showcased including painting, sculpture, installations, drawing, fashion, collages, happenings, and more.

Yayoi Kusama (born 1929) is internationally renowned for her exploration of themes such as infinity, self-obliteration, and repetition. Her distinctive use of polka dots, mirror rooms, and immersive installations has become emblematic of her artistic vision. Kusama’s work invites viewers into dynamic environments that blur the boundaries between the observer and the infinite, challenging perceptions of space and the self. One of the highlights of the exhibition will be a specially created new version of her iconic installations, which embodies these central themes.

Major retrospective

Starting her career in Japan in the early 1950s, Kusama later moved to New York, where she became a key figure in avant-garde movements in the 1960s. Her art spans multiple disciplines, including painting, sculpture, performance, fashion, and literature, continually pushing the boundaries of contemporary art. This retrospective will trace her remarkable evolution, from her early works in Matsumoto, Japan, to her innovative creations in New York, and her most recent productions from Tokyo. In addition to her most iconic pieces, the exhibition will also feature historic works never before shown in Europe, as well as new works created specifically for this occasion.

The show emphasizes Kusama’s lasting relevance and her remarkable influence worldwide. The exhibition is organized in collaboration with Fondation Beyeler in Basel and Museum Ludwig in Cologne. The exhibition at the Stedelijk runs from September 11, 2026 until January 17, 2027.