The Most Expensive Yayoi Kusama Artworks

As Sold At Auction
Septiembre 17, 2023
most expensive Kusama artworks

Infinity Prices for Infinity Rooms


The Infinity Mirror Rooms, Kusama's most iconic installations, offer viewers an endless kaleidoscopic experience. These rooms, though challenging to sell in a conventional auction setting due to their immersive nature, have greatly amplified Kusama's appeal and subsequently, the value of her other artworks. 


What are the most expensive Yayoi Kusama artworks to sell at auction?


Over the past decade, Kusama's artworks have achieved record prices in major auction houses. Notably, most of the works that have appeared were produced during her time in New York in the 1960’s - a great time of expression and creativity for the artist. 


White No.28, $7.1m USD 

Christie’s New York, 2014 


Part of her iconic, “Infinity Networks, White No.28 is the most expensive Yayoi Kusama artwork selling for over $7.1m USD at Christie’s New York in December 2014 as part of the Post-War & Contemporary Art Evening Sale. Kusama started to paint her famed “Infinity Nets,” after moving to New York in 1958. The series, the artist’s longest running, are abstract works which show repeated brushstrokes and she has been quoted as they acted as therapy for her and were inspired by her hallucinatory visions.

 

Yayoi Kusama | White No. 28 (1960) | MutualArt


NO. RED B, $7.0m USD

Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 2015


Another of her Infinity Net Series, the work was pursued by five bidders before finally selling for $7.0 USD at Sotheby’s Modern & Contemporary Asian Art Evening at Sotheby’s Hong Kong in October 2015.

 

Yayoi Kusama | NO. RED B (1960) | MutualArt


Interminable Net #3, $5.8m USD

Sotheby's New York, 2015


Created just a year after arriving in New York, Kusama’s Interminable net #3 sold for $5,850,000.  at the Contemporary Art Auction at Sotheby’s New York in December 2015.

 

Yayoi Kusama | INTERMINABLE NET #3 (1959) | MutualArt


No. 2, $5,7m USD

Christie’s New York, 2008

 

The rare, early work once owned by fellow artist and friend of Kusama Donald Judd, the No. 2  was acquired by New York dealer Philippe Segalot at the Post War & Contemporary Evening Sale at Christie’s New York in November 2008.

 

Yayoi Kusama. No. F. 1959 | MoMA


No.Red.A.B.C, $3.7m USD

Seoul Auction in December 2015.

 

Selling for $3,784,828 at Seoul Auction, the work has a wonderful deep red colour which recalls the red of the sun on the Japanese flag.

 

Yayoi Kusama | No.Red.A.B.C (1960) | MutualArt


No. G.A. White, $3.3m USD

Christie’s New York, 2010

 

A wonderfully textured work,  No. G.A. White (1960)  sold for $3,330,500 at Christie’s New York in the Post-War and Contemporary Art Evening Sale in May 2010.

 

No. G.A. white by Yayoi Kusama on artnet


NO. E, $3.1m USD

Sotheby’s New York, 2014

 

Once again, an early work that showcases just how prolific Kusama was on her arrival to America, the painting sold for $3,189,000  at Sotheby’s New York at the Contemporary Art Evening Auction in May 2014.


Untitled, $3m USD

Christie’s New York, 2015

 

A kinetic and colourful work, there is a sense of innocence around the piece. We see how, as a later Infinity Net, painted just before her return from the United States to Japan - Kusama began to explore the use of colour. Untitled (1967) sold for  $3,077,000.at the Post-War and Contemporary Art Evening Sale at Christie’s New York in May 2015.


Infinity-Nets WHXOTLO, $2.3m USD

Christie’s Hong Kong, 2014

 

The most recent of Kusama’s most expensive artworks, the monochrome large Infinity Net, sold for $2,325,252 at the Asian 20th Century & Contemporary Art (Evening Sale) at Christie’s Hong Kong in November 2014.


Infinity Nets (T.W.A), $2.1m USD

Christie’s London, 2013

 

Rounding off our list of most expensive Yayoi Kusama artworks, this Infinity Net painting is an early work that is a great example of her best-known series.  Infinity Nets (T.W.A) sold for $2,127,367 at Christie’s London in October 2013.

 

Yayoi Kusama | Infinity Nets (T.W.A) (2000) | MutualArt


Driving Factors Behind Kusama's Rising Prices


Several factors have contributed to the escalating prices of Kusama's works:


Global Popularity

From major retrospectives at institutions like the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Tate Modern in London to pop culture references and merchandise, Kusama's ubiquity ensures that new generations of collectors and enthusiasts discover her.


Limited Availability

With Kusama's increasing popularity, the demand for her pieces has outpaced their availability in the market. Scarcity often drives up prices, especially for works by artists of her calibre.


Instagram and Social Media

The visual nature of Kusama’s works, particularly the Infinity Rooms, has made them 'Instagrammable' hits, further amplifying her reach and the desirability of owning a piece of her art.


Yayoi Kusama's standing in the art world and her auction prowess is a testament to her unparalleled artistic vision and the evolving dynamics of the contemporary art market. For collectors and investors, her pieces represent not just a sound financial investment but also a chance to own a part of art history. For the rest of us, it underscores the power of art to transcend cultural barriers and captivate global audiences. Discover our collection of Yayoi Kusama prints for sale and contact Andipa Editions via sales@andipa.com or call +44 (0)20 7589 2371.

About the author

Alex Yellop