Blurring the lines.
Blending Street Art and Fine Art
b. 1974
KAWS
KAWS, a prominent artist based in Brooklyn, seamlessly integrates art and design through his influential body of work. Spanning painting, murals, large-scale sculpture, street art, graphic design, and production design, his creations exude sophisticated humor and a nuanced engagement with consumer culture. Collaborations with global brands further underscore his impact on contemporary art and design.
Drawing inspiration from pop culture animations, KAWS appropriates and transforms these references into a distinctive artistic language that spans diverse mediums. His monumental sculptures and bold paintings, characterised by strong lines and vibrant colours, feature hybrid characters blending cartoon elements with human attributes, embodying his exploration of human identity.
KAWS has exhibited extensively across the United States and internationally, showcasing his work at prestigious venues including the Brooklyn Museum, the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, the Yuz Museum, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, and the Centro de Arte Contemporáneo de Málaga. His contributions to major exhibitions at institutions like the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, the Newcomb Art Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, and the Deste Art Foundation for Contemporary Art underscore his significant influence on contemporary art globally.
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About the artist
KAWS, an esteemed American graffiti artist and designer, has garnered renown for his diverse body of work encompassing toys, prints, and 'subvertisements.' His artistic repertoire features a distinct set of cartoon-like characters that satirise well-known cultural icons, including Disney's Mickey Mouse. Operating at the intersection of commercial and fine art spheres, his art is frequently likened to the pioneering approaches of Andy Warhol and Jeff Koons. His creations challenge conventions and blur boundaries, making significant contributions to contemporary art while maintaining a strong presence in popular culture.
Who is KAWS?
Born in 1974 within New York's vibrant metropolitan area, KAWS started amidst a burgeoning graffiti and street art scene, where he first honed his skills in elementary school. Real name Brian Donnelly, it was during this time that he adopted his distinctive tag: KAWS, a word chosen purely for its visual appeal rather than its meaning. Transitioning to New York City in the 1990s, he pioneered a technique known as 'Subvertising.' This involved removing advertisements from phone booths and bus stops and replacing them with his own signature cartoon characters, marking the urban landscape with his unique and satirical artistic style.
A pivotal moment in the artist's trajectory occurred when he crossed paths with Hikaru Iwanaga, owner of the Japanese toy company Bounty Hunter. At Iwanaga’s suggestion, KAWS designed a toy for the company: his iconic Pop Art-inspired character known as Companion—a figure reminiscent of Mickey Mouse with X-ed out eyes—proved to be his greatest triumph, both critically and commercially. This collaboration catapulted him into global fame, leading to partnerships with fashion giants like Nike and Dior Homme, solidifying Companion as a cultural phenomenon.
Since then, KAWS has expanded his cartoonesque universe, playfully appropriating and satirizing popular characters through his trademark X-crossed eyes and skull motifs. Notable among these are his Kurfs and Kimpsons series, which reimagine The Smurfs and The Simpsons, respectively, and have commanded staggering prices at auctions. His Untitled (Kimpsons No.1), transformed into the Companion motif, fetched an impressive £6 million at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong, while Kurf (HOT DOG) achieved £2.1 million at Sotheby’s in New York, cementing his influence in both the art world and pop culture.
KAWS art style and inspiration
KAWS draws inspiration from a diverse array of artistic influences, ranging from traditional figures like Chuck Close, Klaus Oldenburg, and Gerhard Richter, whose impact is evident in his commercially successful works. Graffiti remains a cornerstone of his artistic ethos, deeply rooted in his career since childhood.
One of the most significant figures shaping his artistic philosophy and production is New York graffiti icon Futura, also known as Futura 2000. Hailing from New York, Futura exerted a profound influence on the emerging French graffiti scene in the 1980s. His dynamic contributions included painting live backdrops for The Clash during their 1981 European tour, underscoring his versatile approach to blending underground and commercial arts.
Similar to KAWS, Futura navigates seamlessly between the realms of street art and commerce, collaborating with global brands such as Nike, Uniqlo, Levi’s, as well as streetwear icons Supreme and A Bathing Ape. This fusion of influences has solidified both KAWS and Futura as pivotal figures bridging the gap between subculture and mainstream artistic expression.
Collaborations
KAWS, an acclaimed artist and designer, has achieved renown for his iconic characters and vibrant pop art style. His collaborations with prominent brands, notably Uniqlo, have garnered widespread acclaim and popularity. Through these partnerships, he has successfully brought his distinctive aesthetic to a broader audience, seamlessly merging high art with everyday fashion.
The collaboration with Uniqlo has resulted in a diverse range of clothing and accessories adorned with his beloved characters, thereby making his art more accessible to fans worldwide. This fusion of art and commerce has not only extended the artists' influence but also blurred the boundaries between traditional art spheres and the mainstream market. In doing so, KAWS has solidified his status as a cultural phenomenon, bridging the gap between artistic expression and commercial appeal.
Multiples represent the most sought-after segment of KAWS's body of work, offering a diverse array of pieces for collectors to explore, along with a wide spectrum of value. Edition sizes for his prints typically range from 20 to 250, reflecting the artist's distinct style and the robust demand that keeps the market dynamic.
Complete sets of 10 screenprints are particularly coveted among collectors, highlighting the appeal and significance of multiples in enriching any art collection. They provide an opportunity to engage with another facet of the artist's oeuvre or allow newer collectors to acquire authentic and iconic works at a more accessible price point.
Prints offer unique formal qualities compared to traditional mediums like oil on canvas, showcasing KAWS's experimentation with different techniques in a way that captivates both seasoned and emerging collectors alike. This accessibility and diversity contribute to the enduring popularity and collectability of his prints in the contemporary art market.
10 Fascinating Facts about KAWS
KAWS, born Brian Donnelly in 1974, has transformed from a street artist into one of the most recognisable names in contemporary art. Known for his distinct style that blends popular culture with fi...
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