Yayoi Kusama

Born in 1929 in Matsumoto (Japan), Yayoi Kusama is an emblematic artist of contemporary art living in Japan. Fascinated by peas, she discovered her artistic talent at the age of 10, producing watercolors, oil paintings and pastels. After training in traditional and modern painting, in 1958 she moved to New York, where she rubbed shoulders with such avant-garde names as Yves Klein and Andy Warhol. Influenced by the struggle for women's rights and freedom, the artist became known for her nude appearances in iconic New York locations. Her psychosomatic art, characterized by an abundance of polka dots, pursued her from an early age and made her an artist who participated indirectly in the Psychedelic and Pop Art movements. Since the 70s, the artist has lived in a psychiatric hospital, where she has her own studio. Indeed, her mental health was an integral part of her artistic practice. By the end of the 80s, she was already exhibiting in major museums around the world. In 2017, she opened her own museum in Tokyo. Now listed as the world's 8th most expensive artist, she is considered one of the most influential.