ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Yayoi Kusama's iconic Yellow Pumpkin sculpture reinstalled on Naoshima after typhoon damage

cultural-heritage · 2026-04-20

Yayoi Kusama's Yellow Pumpkin sculpture has been restored and returned to its original location on Naoshima island in Japan. The artwork was swept away by a typhoon on 9 August 2021, with footage capturing it tumbling in rough waters. After recovery and restoration, the pumpkin now features a reinforced structure to withstand future extreme weather. Situated on an old pier's edge in the Seto Inland Sea, the sculpture has been a fixture there since 1994. Naoshima is renowned as an art destination, hosting other Kusama pumpkins, museums by Tadao Ando, a James Turrell installation, and Monet's Water Lilies. The island's reputation as an art haven continues with this reinstatement.

Key facts

  • Yayoi Kusama's Yellow Pumpkin sculpture returned to Naoshima island
  • The sculpture was swept away by a typhoon on 9 August 2021
  • Footage showed the pumpkin rolling in violent waters during the storm
  • The artwork was recovered and underwent restoration work
  • The newly installed pumpkin has a strengthened structure for protection
  • The sculpture has been perched on an old pier edge since 1994
  • Naoshima is located in the Seto Inland Sea in Japan
  • Naoshima hosts Tadao Ando-designed museums, a James Turrell installation, and Monet's Water Lilies

Entities

Artists

  • Yayoi Kusama
  • Tadao Ando
  • James Turrell
  • Claude Monet

Institutions

  • Benesse Holdings
  • Asahi Shimbun

Locations

  • Naoshima
  • Japan
  • Seto Inland Sea

Sources