Exhibition — Sep 11, 2026 till Jan 17, 2027
On September 11, 2026 opens a landmark retrospective of Yayoi Kusama, one of the most influential and pioneering artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. This expansive exhibition will explore more than seven decades of Kusama’s groundbreaking work. A wide range of artistic media will be showcased including painting, sculpture, installations, drawing, fashion, collages, happenings, and more.
Yayoi Kusama (born 1929) is internationally renowned for her exploration of themes such as infinity, self-obliteration, and repetition. Her distinctive use of polka dots, mirror rooms, and immersive installations has become emblematic of her artistic vision. Kusama’s work invites viewers into dynamic environments that blur the boundaries between the observer and the infinite, challenging perceptions of space and the self. One of the highlights of the exhibition will be a specially created new version of her iconic installations, which embodies these central themes.
Starting her career in Japan in the early 1950s, Kusama later moved to New York, where she became a key figure in avant-garde movements in the 1960s. Her art spans multiple disciplines, including painting, sculpture, performance, fashion, and literature, continually pushing the boundaries of contemporary art. This retrospective will trace her remarkable evolution, from her early works in Matsumoto, Japan, to her innovative creations in New York, and her most recent productions from Tokyo. In addition to her most iconic pieces, the exhibition will also feature historic works never before shown in Europe, as well as new works created specifically for this occasion.
The show emphasizes Kusama’s lasting relevance and her remarkable influence worldwide. The exhibition is organized in collaboration with Fondation Beyeler in Basel (October 12, 2025 – January 25, 2026) and Museum Ludwig in Cologne (March 14, 2026 – August 2, 2026). The exhibition at the Stedelijk runs from September 11, 2026 until January 17, 2027.
A ticket with a start time indicates when you may enter the Kusama exhibition. Please make sure to arrive at the exhibition entrance on time so you don’t miss your start time.
Before and after your visit to the exhibition, you are free to explore the rest of the museum. Once inside, you may stay as long as you like.
Daily 10 am – 6 pm, access until 5.45 pm
Museumplein 10, Amsterdam – next to the Van Gogh Museum, a five-minute walk from the Rijksmuseum. Plan your route here.
Click here voor more info.
On a separate page, you’ll find practical information about the building’s accessibility. You’ll also find information about our additional programs there. Click here for more info.
Before, during, or after your museum visit, you are welcome to enjoy a cup of coffee or an extensive lunch. Click below for more information about our dining facilities.
Welcome! When entering the museum, please store your bag and coat first. The cloakroom is located before the ticket check. Follow the signs.
Make sure you have your ticket (and pass) ready when approaching the ticket check.
For the full FAQ about the Yayoi Kusama exhibition click here:
Image 1: Yayoi Kusama with Yellow Tree / Living Room at the Aichi Triennale, 2010. Courtesy of Ota Fine Arts and David Zwirner. © YAYOI KUSAMA.
Image 2: Infinity Mirrored Room – The Hope of the Polka Dots Buried in Infinity Will Eternally Cover the Universe, 2025. Mixed media, detail. Photo: Mark Niedermann. © YAYOI KUSAMA.
Image 3: Yayoi Kusama, Infinity Mirrored Room—Illusion Inside the Heart, 2025. Mirror-polished stainless steel with glass mirrors and colored acrylic, 300 × 300 × 300 cm, inside view. Collection of the artist. Courtesy of Ota Fine Arts. © YAYOI KUSAMA
Image 4: Yayoi Kusama, Flowers That Speak All about My Heart Given to the Sky, 2018. Painted bronze, 300 x 211 x 203 cm. Collection of the artist. Courtesy of Ota Fine Arts, Victoria Miro and David Zwirner. © YAYOI KUSAMA
Image 5: Yayoi Kusama amid her installation Narcissus Garden at the 33rd Venice Biennale, 1966. Courtesy of Ota Fine Arts and David Zwirner. © YAYOI KUSAMA
Image 6: Yayoi Kusama, Pumpkin, 1991. Acrylic on canvas, 91 × 116.7 cm. Collection of the artist. © YAYOI KUSAMA
Image 7: Yayoi Kusama, I Saw the Morning Sun, 2017. Acrylic on canvas, 194 x 194 cm. Collection of the artist. Courtsesy of Ota Fine Arts. © YAYOI KUSAMA
Image 8: Yayoi Kusama, Aggregation: One Thousand Boats Show, 1963. Rowboat and oars covered by plaster castings in white cotton, a pair of women’s shoes, and black-and white posters; boat: 60 × 130 × 265 cm, overall dimensions variable. Collection Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, gift of the artist. © YAYOI KUSAMA
The exhibition Yayoi Kusama is organized by the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, Fondation Beyeler, Riehen/Basel, and Museum Ludwig, Cologne. Curated by Leontine Coelewij.
Supported by
Partner
Main partner exhibtion
Exhibition partners
