Yayoi Kusama Artwork Value | Prices, Originals vs Prints, How to Sell

At-a-glance: Yayoi Kusama

The world's top-selling female artist and a pioneer of avant-garde art, Kusama has created her iconic polka dots, Infinity Nets, and pumpkins for over seven decades — and her market remains one of the strongest in contemporary art.

Bio

Name: Yayoi Kusama (草間彌生)
Born: 1929 (living artist, age 96)
Nationality: Japanese

Style

Avant-garde and Pop Art. Infinity Net paintings, polka dot patterns, pumpkin sculptures, and immersive mirror installations. Represented by David Zwirner, Victoria Miro, and Ota Fine Arts.

What to look for

Pencil signatures with Japanese titles and edition numbers, ABE catalogue references for prints, publisher certificates for sculptures (Benesse Holdings), Registration Cards for unique works.

What Yayoi Kusama works do people actually own?

Most Kusama works in private hands aren't major Infinity Net paintings. Like Warhol and Haring, Kusama has produced extensive print editions alongside unique works — plus museum merchandise that's often confused with original art. Understanding whether you have an original or reproduction is the first step in determining value.

Museum posters and merchandise — $20–$500
Exhibition posters from major retrospectives (Tate, MoMA, The Broad) and licensed merchandise. These are souvenirs, not original art — worth $20–$100 regardless of framing. Louis Vuitton collaboration items are collectible fashion products, not fine art, with modest resale value among fashion collectors.
Limited edition prints — $5,000–$100,000+
Screenprints and lithographs produced in editions of 50–150, signed in pencil with Japanese titles and edition numbers. Documented in the ABE catalogue (2017) with reference numbers used by dealers and auction houses. Pumpkin and dot pattern prints are most sought-after. Printer Ishida Ryoichi produced many important editions.
Pumpkin sculptures — $10,000–$8,000,000
Produced in bronze, fiberglass, resin, ceramic, and other materials. Edition sizes vary — look for certificates from publishers like Benesse Holdings. Pumpkin (L) (2014) in bronze sold for approximately $8 million at Sotheby's Hong Kong in 2023. Small resin editions start around $10,000–$50,000.
Works on paper — $50,000–$500,000+
Drawings, gouaches, and works on paper spanning her career. Early works from the 1950s–60s are most valuable — eight examples sold at Bonhams in 2021 for $300,000–$500,000 each against estimates of $60,000–$80,000. Recent works on paper average around $65,000 at auction.
Infinity Net paintings — $500,000–$10,500,000
Kusama's signature paintings featuring obsessive net patterns. Early examples from 1959–1960 command the highest prices — Untitled (Nets) (1959) holds the auction record at $10.5 million (Phillips, May 2022). Later Infinity Nets typically sell for $500,000–$3 million depending on size and period.

Upload your piece for a specific estimate based on current market data and ABE catalogue research.

How to verify Yayoi Kusama authenticity

Authentication for Kusama requires careful attention — her studio changed its policies in 2019. Before getting a valuation, understand these critical points:

Prints — no studio authentication: The Yayoi Kusama Studio discontinued print authentication in 2019. For prints, rely on the ABE catalogue "Yayoi Kusama All Prints Catalogue 1979–2017," publisher documentation, and provenance
Non-editioned works — Registration System: The studio operates a Registration System for original paintings and unique works that verifies pieces against their records — but they explicitly state this "is not a service to authenticate"
Sculptures — publisher certificates: Editioned sculptures should have certificates from publishers like Benesse Holdings documenting edition size and materials
Signature verification: Kusama signs prints in pencil with title (often in Japanese), date, and edition number. Signatures appear on recto or verso depending on the work
Forgery warning: Forged certificates of authenticity have been identified in the market — provenance is critically important given the lack of official authentication services

Upload photos of the front, back, signature, and any documentation for a preliminary assessment.

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Yayoi Kusama artwork FAQs

The Yayoi Kusama Studio discontinued print authentication in 2019 — they no longer authenticate prints or editioned works. For non-editioned original works (paintings, unique pieces), the studio operates a Registration System that verifies works against their records, though they explicitly state this is not authentication. For prints, rely on the ABE catalogue (2017), publisher documentation, and provenance. For general guidance on distinguishing originals from reproductions, see our original vs print artwork guide.

Original Kusama paintings — particularly Infinity Nets — are unique works selling from $500,000 to $10.5 million at auction. Limited edition prints (screenprints, lithographs) are produced in editions of 50–150, typically selling for $5,000–$100,000. Museum exhibition posters are mass-produced souvenirs worth $20–$100. Understanding these differences is essential before getting a valuation.

Yes — pumpkin sculptures are among Kusama's most sought-after works. Prices range from $10,000 for small resin editions to $8 million for major bronzes. The Pumpkin (L) (2014) bronze sold for approximately $8 million at Sotheby's Hong Kong in 2023. Look for certificates from publishers like Benesse Holdings for editioned sculptures. A free appraisal can help identify your specific edition and materials.

Early Infinity Net paintings from 1959–1960 command the highest prices — Untitled (Nets) from 1959 holds the auction record at $10.5 million (Phillips, 2022). Pumpkins are universally popular across all media. Among living artists, Kusama's market rivals Warhol and consistently ranks as the top-selling female artist worldwide. Works on paper from the 1950s–60s have sold for $300,000–$500,000.

The right venue depends on value. Prints under $20,000 suit specialist contemporary dealers or vetted online platforms. Works valued $20,000–$200,000 belong at Christie's, Sotheby's, or Phillips contemporary and Asian art sales. Above $200,000, consign to major evening sales — Hong Kong auctions are particularly strong for Kusama. For pieces valued over $1,000, we can help connect you with the right channel — see our selling guide for more details.

Kusama typically signs prints in pencil, with the title in Japanese, date, and edition number (e.g., 88/120). Signatures appear on either recto (front) or verso (back) depending on the work. Compare to the ABE catalogue which documents prints with reference numbers used by dealers and auction houses. Our artwork valuation guide explains what experts assess beyond the signature.

How to sell Yayoi Kusama artwork

Ready to sell your artwork? Here's the process for Kusama pieces at any value level.

1

Get a valuation

Upload photos and we'll identify your piece — distinguishing signed print editions from museum posters, and researching ABE catalogue references for prints or publisher documentation for sculptures. We'll provide a realistic market value within 24–48 hours.

2

Verify documentation

For prints, confirm ABE catalogue inclusion and gather any publisher records. For sculptures, locate certificates from publishers like Benesse Holdings. For unique works, the studio's Registration System can verify pieces against their records. Strong documentation is essential given the lack of official print authentication.

3

Choose the right channel

Under $20K: Specialist contemporary dealers, vetted online platforms.
$20K–$200K: Christie's, Sotheby's, or Phillips contemporary and Asian art sales.
$200K+: Major evening sales — Hong Kong auctions are particularly strong for Kusama given her Asian collector base.

4

Prepare documentation

Gather provenance records, ABE catalogue references for prints, publisher certificates for sculptures, and any prior exhibition or sale history. Kusama's market is highly active — properly documented works sell quickly through the right channels.

Ready to get a free Yayoi Kusama valuation?

Upload photos of your artwork — front, back, signature, and any documentation — and receive a research-backed estimate with guidance on authenticity, pricing, and selling options.