Following the sad news of her passing, many New Yorkers are reflecting on the incredible legacy of legendary Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama.
Known as the ‘princess of polka dots,’ her immersive installations and avant-garde vision have left an unforgettable mark on the global art world.
Her connection to our city runs deep. She first moved to New York in 1958, quickly becoming a defining voice in the downtown avant-garde and Pop art movements before returning to Japan in the 1970s.
If you want to honor her memory and step into one of her mesmerizing worlds, here is a look at her lasting footprint and where you can still experience her art in NYC today.
‘Guggenheim Pop: 1960 to now’
If you want to step into one of her famously mind-bending spaces, head to the Upper East Side.
The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum is hosting a major exhibition exploring Pop art, running through January 10, 2027.
As part of this exhibition, visitors can step inside one of her signature Infinity Mirrored Rooms—specifically, Dancing Lights That Flew Up to the Universe (2019).
The museum is also displaying an early painting from their permanent collection, offering a beautiful look at her trailblazing evolution.
‘A message of love, directly from my heart unto the universe’
You do not even need a museum ticket to see one of her most expansive pieces in the city.
Tucked inside the massive Grand Central Madison terminal, you will find an 875-square-foot floor-to-ceiling glass mosaic that spans 120 feet along the wall.
Located on the Madison Concourse between 46th and 47th Streets, this permanent public installation was unveiled in late 2022.
It features the signature bold colors and recurring motifs from her famous My Eternal Soul series, serving as a bright, heartfelt gift to the daily commuters of New York.
A history of blockbusters at David Zwirner Gallery
While she eventually returned to Japan, Kusama maintained a powerful, decades-long relationship with the NYC gallery scene.
She had been represented by the David Zwirner Gallery in Chelsea since 2013, hosting six massive solo exhibitions over the years.
New Yorkers will likely remember the absolute frenzy—and the hours-long lines wrapped around the block—for her immersive 2023 show, I Spend Each Day Embracing Flowers.
The viral Louis Vuitton robot on 5th Avenue
Kusama’s influence continually transcended the canvas, splashing directly into fashion and pop culture.
In early 2023, her massive collaboration with Louis Vuitton took over their flagship store on Fifth Avenue and 57th Street.
Passersby were completely mesmerized by a hyper-realistic animatronic robot of Kusama, which was programmed to ‘paint’ her signature polka dots on the store’s windows.
It was a wildly surreal, unforgettable moment that perfectly captured her unique ability to stop NYC traffic and capture the world’s imagination.
Which of Yayoi Kusama’s incredible NYC installations has been your favorite to visit over the years?