This autumn and winter, from October 12th, 2025 to January 25th, 2026, Fondation Beyeler presents Switzerland’s first major retrospective dedicated to the legendary Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. Organized in close collaboration with the artist and her studio, the exhibition offers an unprecedented overview of her seven-decade-long career — from her early avant-garde experiments in the 1950s to her most recent large-scale installations.
A visionary universe of Yayoi Kusama’s Work
Known for her unmistakable visual language defined by polka dots, repetition, and infinite reflection, Yayoi Kusama’s work continues to challenge perceptions of space, self, and reality. At Fondation Beyeler, visitors will encounter a vivid cross-section of her artistic universe, spanning painting, sculpture, collage, performance, and installation.
The exhibition will showcase early works never before seen in Europe, alongside new pieces that expand upon Kusama’s lifelong exploration of infinity and self-obliteration. Through these creations, the artist invites viewers into immersive environments where art becomes both a mirror and a portal — reflecting inner states of mind while dissolving the boundaries between the self and the surrounding world.
The ‘Infinity Mirror Room’: a journey beyond boundaries
At the heart of the exhibition lies one of Kusama’s signature Infinity Mirror Rooms — a fully immersive installation that transforms perception through the interplay of light, reflection, and space. Visitors step into an environment where mirrored surfaces multiply patterns endlessly, creating the sensation of floating within an infinite, luminous cosmos.
Alongside this iconic piece, Fondation Beyeler will present two major installations emblematic of Kusama’s artistic evolution. In one, a field of vividly coloured organic forms suggests a living landscape that pulsates with rhythm and energy. In another, luminous spheres suspended in space invite contemplation on life’s cyclical nature — a recurring theme in Kusama’s exploration of the connection between the human body and the universe.
A Collaborative Retrospective Across Europe
Following its presentation in Switzerland, the retrospective — jointly organized by Fondation Beyeler, Museum Ludwig in Cologne, and the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam — will travel across Europe. After closing in Riehen on January 25th, 2026, the exhibition will move to Cologne (March 14th – August 2nd, 2026) and Amsterdam (September 11th, 2026 – January 17th, 2027), expanding its reach to new audiences eager to experience Kusama’s boundless creativity.
Courtesy of YAYOI KUSAMA
