In 2026, contemporary art audiences across Europe will have an extraordinary opportunity to engage with one of the most influential artists of our time: Yayoi Kusama. The globally celebrated Japanese artist’s landmark retrospective continues its European journey with two major stops after its late-2025 debut.
The Museum Ludwig in Cologne will host a major Yayoi Kusama retrospective from 14 March to 2 August 2026, celebrating its 50th anniversary. The exhibition features over seven decades of work, including iconic polka dots, pumpkins, and a new Infinity Mirror Room.
Originally opening at Switzerland’s Fondation Beyeler in Basel on 12 October 2025, the exhibition presents a sweeping overview of Kusama’s career, from early avant-garde experiments to her iconic immersive environments. Over 300 works will be featured, including rarely seen pieces and new works created specifically for the tour.
In March 2026, the retrospective moves to Museum Ludwig in Cologne, Germany, where it runs through 2 August. This leg highlights the breadth of Kusama’s output, from her celebrated Infinity Mirror Rooms and polka-dot paintings to sculpture, performance documentation, and works on paper, offering visitors a richly layered narrative of her evolving creative vocabulary.
The tour culminates in Amsterdam at the Stedelijk Museum, opening 11 September 2026 and continuing until 17 January 2027. Here, audiences will experience the full arc of Kusama’s artistic journey in one of Europe’s most dynamic modern art spaces.
At 96, Kusama remains a defining voice in contemporary art. Her work is characterised by obsessive repetition, immersive reflection, and an exploration of infinity and her oeuvre continues to resonate with diverse audiences, making this retrospective one of the most anticipated cultural events of the year.
