Why Yayoi Kusama was more avant-garde than Warhol and ended up becoming the most photographed pop icon in the world's museums

Yayoi Kusama, the renowned artist known for her polka-dot pumpkins and kaleidoscopic rooms, has passed away at the age of 97 following a life marked by hallucinations, a long residency in a psychiatric hospital, and eventual late-career fame.

Kusama's exuberantly vibrant work reflected her lifelong battle with mental health issues. Despite these struggles, she evolved to become a pioneering avant-garde figure—arguably surpassing Andy Warhol in avant-garde impact—and ultimately transformed into the most photographed pop icon in museums worldwide.