KAWS

Key facts

Born

1974, American

Movements

• Contemporary
• Pop Art
• Street Art

• What is KAWS known for?+

  KAWS is known for his unique visual language, which developed from his early interventions on advertisements and limited-edition vinyl toys. He is also known for his large-scale sculptures and paintings that reinterpret cartoon figures with his signature "X" eyes and inflated forms.
• What is KAWS's most famous work?+

  It is difficult to name a single most famous work by KAWS; however, the Companion figures are certainly among his best-known creations. These sculptures and figures often depict familiar cartoon characters, such as Mickey Mouse, with altered features; for example, the addition of X-ed out eyes. KAWS began producing Companion figures in the late 1990s. The original Companion toy was produced in 1999 in collaboration with the Japanese toy company Bounty Hunter. The grey Companion is probably the most recognisable. The figures are made of vinyl and stand approximately eight inches tall. They have been released in various colours and sizes, and in different poses, including standing, sitting, and lying down. KAWS's Companion figures have been exhibited in museums and galleries around the world, and they are highly sought after by collectors. They have also been featured in advertising campaigns and collaborations with other brands. The artist's use of popular cartoon characters and his distinctive style have made the Companion figures a pop-culture phenomenon.
• What should I know about KAWS's prints?+

  KAWS, born Brian Donnelly in 1974, is known for his graphic prints and figures, often featuring cartoon-like characters with X-ed out eyes. His work blends pop art, street art, and commercial design. When considering KAWS's prints, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, most prints are produced in limited editions. The artist determines the edition size, and this is stated on the print itself, usually in pencil, along with the title and signature. This claim of a limited edition is a statement of fact; if untrue, it can have legal repercussions under trade description laws. Second, prices for prints, even identical ones, can vary significantly between markets and auction houses. This variation can be due to condition, quality, or simply market "noise". KAWS, like other contemporary artists, also sells related merchandise, such as toys and clothing, that may connect to his print work. The relation between these items and the "artistic" value of the prints is open to interpretation.
• What style or movement did KAWS belong to?+

  KAWS emerged in the 1990s, a period when clear-cut art movements were less defined; international contemporary art was characterised by pluralism. Nevertheless, KAWS's work has associations with Pop Art, a style that first appeared in Britain in the 1950s and then took off in the United States in the 1960s. Pop Art draws inspiration and motifs from mass culture, consumer society, advertising, and the media. Pop artists often adopt imagery from comic strips, magazines, film stills, and advertisements. They use simplification, repetition, and enlargement to transform these motifs into clichés. Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein are among Pop Art's most famous practitioners. Like Warhol, artists such as Damien Hirst and Takashi Murakami have investigated the overlap between business and art. Similarly, Julian Opie's cartoon-like figures painted with heavy black outlines and bright colours show the influence of Lichtenstein. These artists, like KAWS, owe a debt to Pop Art's earlier investigations into popular culture.
• What techniques or materials did KAWS use?+

  KAWS's practice encompasses a range of media and techniques. Contemporary painters often incorporate materials such as acrylics, household emulsions, or mixed media into their work. Sculptors, while traditionally using materials like wood, marble, and bronze, may also employ cardboard, plastic, and everyday household items. In bronze sculpture, the artist often models in clay, then creates a wax model using a silicone rubber mould. Digital scanning may be used to preserve detail, although the artist might rework resin prints by hand to restore vitality to the modelling. The wax model can be moulded in sections for separate casting, a practice that allows for alterations during the process. Welding joins the sections; any exterior evidence is typically removed through finishing. Chasing, a physical process using hand tools like punches and chisels, refines the surface. Patina, involving layers of chemicals like ferric nitrate and titanium dioxide, adds colour and texture. The artist's approach to patina is often experimental, involving the deliberate destruction and re-application of layers to achieve a desired effect.
• When did KAWS live and work?+

  KAWS, born Brian Donnelly in 1974, is an American artist who began his career in the 1990s. He is best known for his graffiti and paintings, as well as his toy and clothing designs. KAWS grew up in Jersey City, New Jersey, and he moved to New York City to study at the School of Visual Arts, graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in illustration in 1996. After graduation, he briefly worked in animation, painting backgrounds for Jumbo Pictures. His early work involved subverting advertising on bus shelters and phone booths. These altered advertisements gained attention, marking the start of his move into the fine-art world. KAWS's work now includes large-scale sculptures and paintings that borrow from pop culture. His sculptures, often featuring his character Companion, have been exhibited internationally. He continues to live and work, producing art and design projects that blend street art with commercial appeal.
• Where can I see KAWS's work?+

  To view artworks, visit institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, or the Museum of Modern Art, also in New York. Other US locations include the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond, and the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art in Winter Park, Florida. You can also find works at the Wolfsonian in Miami Beach. In Canada, the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto holds relevant pieces. In the UK, visit the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, the Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, the Geffrye Museum in London, the Manchester Art Gallery, or the National Museums of Scotland Royal Museum in Edinburgh. Other European museums include the Musée National d’Art Moderne, and the Musée d’Orsay in Paris.
• Where was KAWS from?+

  Information about KAWS's origins is not available in the provided references. However, the passages do provide some details on the backgrounds of other artists. Ed Ruscha was born in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1937. He spent his childhood in Oklahoma City, where he began drawing comics. In 1956, Ruscha moved to Los Angeles and attended the Chouinard Art Institute. Charles Ray was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1953. He was raised in a family that ran a commercial art school. Andy Warhol, born in 1928, spent his childhood in Pennsylvania. Due to frequent illness, he often stayed home with his mother, drawing and colouring. James Rosenquist was born in 1933 and brought up in the American Midwest. His family experienced financial difficulties during the Great Depression, and he took on odd jobs to help support them.
• Who did KAWS influence?+

  KAWS's impact is visible in the work of younger artists who blend commercial and fine art elements. His use of cartoon-like figures with altered or obscured features has become a recognisable style adopted by some contemporary creators. KAWS's influence extends to the realm of street art and its integration into mainstream art. Many artists working in public spaces now incorporate pop culture references and character designs, a path KAWS helped to pave. His collaborations with commercial brands also opened doors for other artists to work across different sectors. It is important to note that influence is a complex thing. Many artists draw inspiration from various sources, and it can be difficult to isolate KAWS as the sole influence. However, his success in bridging the gap between street art, commercial design, and the gallery world has undoubtedly had an impact on a generation of artists exploring similar territory.
• Who influenced KAWS?+

  KAWS's artistic development occurred in the context of late 20th-century and early 21st-century art. His work engages with themes and techniques from pop art, graffiti, and commercial design. His early career involved interventions on billboard advertisements and bus shelter posters. This practice of modifying existing images relates to appropriation art, a movement that questions originality and authorship. Artists like Richard Prince, who re-photographed existing photographs, employed similar strategies. KAWS's use of cartoon characters and bright colours also places him in dialogue with pop art. The influence of artists such as Andy Warhol and Claes Oldenburg, who elevated everyday objects to the status of art, can be seen in KAWS's large-scale sculptures and collectable toys. These sculptures often feature familiar cartoon figures with altered features, such as X-ed out eyes, creating a distinctive style. His collaboration with commercial brands, such as Nike and Dior, further connects him to the pop art tradition of blurring the lines between art and commerce.
• Who was KAWS?+

  Brian Donnelly (born 1974), known professionally as KAWS, is an American artist and designer. His work includes repeated use of a cast of figurative characters and motifs, some dating back to the beginning of his career in the 1990s. KAWS' characters are often modified versions of existing cartoon icons such as Mickey Mouse, the Michelin Man, and the Smurfs. KAWS began as a graffiti artist in New York City, before moving into the world of fine art. Besides his own original paintings and sculptures, KAWS also frequently collaborates with commercial brands and produces consumer products, such as toys, clothing, and accessories. He is known for blurring the lines between fine art and popular culture, often incorporating elements of both into his work.
• Why are KAWS's works important today?+

  KAWS, born Brian Donnelly in 1974, is an American artist known for his paintings, sculptures, and designer toys. His work frequently incorporates recognisable cartoon characters, such as Mickey Mouse and the Michelin Man, altering and re-presenting them with his signature "X-ed" eyes. KAWS began as a graffiti artist in New York City in the 1990s. He then transitioned to creating limited-edition toys and clothing, which helped him gain a wider audience. His Companion figure, a melancholic Mickey Mouse-like character with crossed-out eyes, is one of his most recognisable creations. KAWS's importance stems from his ability to bridge the gap between fine art and popular culture. His work appeals to both art collectors and a younger generation familiar with street art and designer toys. He has had solo exhibitions at museums and galleries worldwide, including the Yorkshire Sculpture Park in 2016. KAWS's accessible imagery and collaborations with brands like Nike and Uniqlo have broadened the reach of contemporary art, making it more relatable to a wider public. His art raises questions about consumerism, identity, and the role of art in the age of mass production.