NEW YORK — The international art world is mourning Yayoi Kusama, the Japanese artist whose distinctive visual language transformed contemporary art and became deeply embedded in American museum culture.

Kusama died at 97, according to reports highlighted by The Washington Post. Her career spanned decades and included painting, sculpture, performance and large-scale immersive installations.

Her instantly recognizable polka-dot patterns and Infinity Mirror Rooms helped turn contemporary art into an increasingly immersive experience. Visitors became part of the artwork itself rather than simply observing it from outside.

Kusama also became a major draw for American museums, where her installations attracted large audiences and introduced new generations to contemporary art.

Her legacy extends beyond individual artworks: Kusama helped demonstrate that museums could become immersive cultural experiences capable of reaching audiences far beyond traditional art-world circles.

Her death is expected to prompt renewed interest in her extensive body of work and her influence on artists, museums and popular visual culture.