The 97-year-old “Queen of Polka Dots,” Yayoi Kusama, is more than just an artist. Known for her iconic use of colors and patterns, Kusama creates art that reflects her unique mental world through canvases and sculptures. Following last fall’s auctions at major houses such as Bonhams, Christie’s, Sotheby’s, and Phillips, her works are once again taking center stage, sparking a wave of enthusiasm. This time, her pieces go beyond the famed pumpkins, offering insight into how the legendary artist transformed the hallucinations and fears of her childhood into a visual language that resonates worldwide.
Yayoi Kusama
The Soul Behind the Polka Dots
Born in 1929 in Nagano, Japan, Yayoi Kusama is one of the most influential living artists in the world today. Over her career, she has created works spanning painting, sculpture, installation art, performance, and even fashion. Her signature polka dot patterns have become universal symbols of contemporary art.
These patterns, inspired by her hallucinations as a child, allowed Kusama to channel her inner fears into mesmerizing art. Moving to New York in 1957, she became a significant figure in the avant-garde art scene of the 1960s and 1970s, organizing numerous performance art events. However, she returned to Japan in 1973, where she continued to create art but only achieved widespread recognition in the 1990s. Now, Kusama’s works are highly sought after by collectors worldwide, with her “Pumpkin” and “Infinity Net” series being particularly favored.
Christie’s
Estimated Price: approximately $570,000–$950,000
Four rare works by Kusama will feature in Christie’s “20th and 21st Century Evening Sale” and “20th Century Day Sale,” most notably the piece “Southern Country.” This work marks a pivotal moment in Kusama’s artistic journey, blending her recurring polka-dotted language with symbolic imagery of solitude and exploration. Painted in the 1970s, this period of her life was marked by personal loss and transitions as she left the avant-garde art scene in New York to return to Japan, where she shifted to a more introspective form of creative expression.
Preview: March 24–27, 2026
Location: 2 Murray Road, The Henderson, Hong Kong
Note: Preview dates and locations are subject to change. Registration is recommended in advance.
“20th and 21st Century Art Auctions”
Evening Sale: March 27, 2026
Day Sale: March 28, 2026
Location: The Henderson, 6th Floor, Christie’s, Hong Kong
Sotheby’s
Sotheby’s will present seven works by Kusama, prominently featuring a yellow-and-black pumpkin sculpture from 2015. Another highlight is “Twisted-Stem Pumpkin,” which embodies her late-career maturity. The uniquely coiled pumpkin stem distinguishes itself as an unparalleled masterpiece within the auction scene.
Estimated Price: approximately $230,000–$360,000
Estimated Price: approximately $380,000–$640,000
Venue: Sotheby’s Hong Kong
Date: March 29–30, 2026
Bonhams
“Beyond Red: A Dedicated Kusama Collection”
The “Beyond Red” session will feature six of Kusama’s works. Its star pieces incorporate Kusama’s striking use of vivid red, an embodiment of her world of hallucinations. Among these works, red pumpkin sculptures are particularly rare, symbolizing both an artistic cry from her depths and a near-spiritual exploration of self through an endless replication of dots.
Estimated Price: approximately $1.9 million–$3.2 million
Estimated Price: approximately $250,000–$510,000
Venue: Bonhams Hong Kong, Tai Kwun
Auction Date: March 28, 2026
Preview: March 18–28, 2026
Phillips
Estimated Price: approximately $640,000–$890,000
One of Kusama’s standout works at Phillips is “Sunset Within the Heart,” a poetic piece created during the pandemic in 2020. Combining dynamic red and white visuals, the work feels like a callback to her minimalist explorations of the 1960s while reflecting the resilience and vitality embodied in her later career.
Modern and Contemporary Art Evening Auction
Date: March 29, 2026｜4:00 PM
Modern and Contemporary Highlights Sale
Date: March 29, 2026｜5:00 PM
Preview: March 20–29, 2026｜11:00 AM–7:00 PM
Location: Phillips Asia Headquarters | West Kowloon Cultural District, Hong Kong