Yayoi Kusama to announce shock retirement?

Sad news for Kusama fans. Speculation had been rife that creator of the Infinity Mirror Rooms will announce her retirement from all public activities, at age 97, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 18/08/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being an artist isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being an artist-painter just isn't fun anymore,” she might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that she may branch out into other creative fields she is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouYayoi

For a little while on Monday evening, #ThankYouYayoi was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made her make the decision.

“You’ve accomplished everything I ever dreamed of #ThankYouYayoi.”
— @DesireePlum, 17 Aug 2026

“I thought Yayoi Kusama retired about 5 years ago?!?”
— @millythom, 17 Aug 2026

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