물방울 무늬 예술가 야요이 쿠사마 97세로 별세

Have you ever seen a room covered in colorful dots? That was the magic of Yayoi Kusama.

Kusama was a Japanese artist who created some of the most interesting art in the world. She loved polka dots — those small, round circles — and used them in everything she made. Her paintings had dots. Her sculptures had dots. Even her special rooms had thousands and thousands of dots covering the walls.

Many people loved her work. Museums around the world wanted her art. Visitors waited in long lines to see her exhibitions. Some people said her rooms felt like dreams. The dots made them feel calm and happy.

Kusama's success was unusual for a female artist. Most female artists in the past did not earn as much money as male artists. But Kusama's work sold for very high prices. Some of her paintings cost millions of dollars. She became one of the most valuable female artists ever.

Kusama was born in Japan in 1929. She started making art when she was very young. She moved to New York and then to Europe to study and show her work. She worked for many years, even when people did not understand her art at first.

Kusama died in 2024 at age 97. She left behind thousands of beautiful artworks. Today, people still visit her exhibitions. Children and adults enjoy looking at the dots and colors. Her art teaches us that different ideas and different styles can be beautiful and important.

Inspired by reporting from BBC News.