A comprehensive retrospective celebrating seven decades of Yayoi Kusama's artistic career will travel across three prestigious European museums from October 2025 through January 2027. The landmark exhibition will showcase the complete evolution of the 96-year-old Japanese artist's work, from her earliest pieces to brand-new creations made specifically for this tour.

The retrospective comes during an exceptionally successful year for Kusama, who continues to dominate the contemporary art market. In March, she led sales at Art Basel Hong Kong with a stunning $3.5 million deal for her 2013 acrylic-on-canvas work "INFINITY-NETS [ORUPX]." Her major retrospective at Melbourne's National Gallery of Victoria also broke attendance records, becoming the most popular exhibition in Australian art history.

The European tour will begin on October 12, 2025, at the Fondation Beyeler in Basel, Switzerland, where it will run through January 25, 2026. According to the museum, the exhibition titled "Yayoi Kusama" will offer visitors a complete overview of the artist's more than seven-decade career, encompassing her most iconic works alongside rarely seen pieces.

The show will feature Kusama's signature polka dot paintings and beloved pumpkin sculptures, as well as her internationally acclaimed Infinity Mirror Rooms that have captivated audiences worldwide. Given Kusama's experimental approach and prolific output across multiple mediums, the exhibition will span installations, drawings, collage works, documentation of live performances, fashion designs, and literary works. The comprehensive display will include both early masterpieces and new creations, with some pieces created exclusively for this retrospective.

After its inaugural run in Basel, the exhibition will move to Museum Ludwig in Cologne, Germany, opening on March 14, 2026. The tour will conclude at Amsterdam's renowned Stedelijk Museum, where it will open on September 11, 2026, and continue through January 17, 2027, giving European audiences an unprecedented opportunity to experience Kusama's artistic journey.

Rein Wolfs, director of the Stedelijk Museum, expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming exhibition in an official statement. "Yayoi Kusama is an artist who compels us to see the world through a different lens," Wolfs said. "Even at her advanced age, she continues to captivate audiences, drawing in visitors of all generations with her mesmerizing creations. This exhibition promises to be a feast for the eyes where one can truly lose themselves in her extraordinary art."

At 96 years old, Kusama remains one of the world's most influential and commercially successful contemporary artists. Throughout her remarkable career, she has achieved numerous milestones that have cemented her place in art history. She served as a central figure in New York's Pop Art movement during the transformative 1960s, represented Japan at the prestigious Venice Biennale in 1993, and was reported as the top-selling contemporary artist in 2023, accumulating more than $80.9 million at auction.

Kusama's universal appeal stems from her playful simplicity, vibrant color palettes, and imaginative concepts that resonate with diverse audiences. Her work has become a household name among children, adults, seasoned art collectors, and casual museum visitors alike. The artist's distinctive polka dots and infinity rooms create immersive experiences that transcend traditional art appreciation.

Reflecting on her creative process, Kusama has described the intuitive nature of her artistic practice. "In front of paint brushes and canvas, my hands react to them and make my work before I think of anything," the artist explained. "Then, when the piece is completed, I look at it, and am surprised by the result—always." This spontaneous approach has been a hallmark of her work throughout her seven-decade career.

Art enthusiasts planning to visit the retrospective can stay updated on exhibition details and ticketing information by visiting the Fondation Beyeler website. The touring exhibition represents a rare opportunity to experience the full scope of Kusama's artistic evolution in a single comprehensive presentation, making it one of the most anticipated art events of the coming years.