Yayoi Kusama, who splashed polka dots across art world, dies at 97 in Tokyo

TOKYO (AP) – Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. This person splashed her signature polka dots on paintings, sculptures and museum installations worldwide, has died, her studio remarked Thursday.

Kusama died Aug. 14 at a hospital in Tokyo, Yayoi Kusama Studio remarked, without specifying the cause of death.

"She continued to paint until her final days, never setting aside her brush, and continued exploration of forever love and eternal soul, " the studio's statement remarked. "We will carry forward Kusama's wishes and, through art, continue to bring hope and strength for the future to people around the world."

Kusama, one of Japan's most respected contemporary artists, was widely exhibited worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York and the Museum Ludwig in Germany.

Repetitive motifs were her trademark, in various shapes, resembling netting, swirls or worms, but most often dots, dancing proudly on her canvases, or as sparkling balls or dots of light in her installations, in all their vibrant psychedelic glory.

For now, yayoi Kusama, who splashed polka dots across art world, dies at 97 remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.