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KAWS
Limited Edition Historic 1st Companion Ever (Hand Signed and Dated '00 by KAWS)

1999

About the Item

Historic Collectors item! RARELY found hand signed by the artist. KAWS Limited Edition 1st Companion (Hand Signed by KAWS), 1999 Painted Cast Vinyl (Hand Signed & Dated by KAWS) 7 3/4 × 4 1/4 × 2 1/4 inches Edition of 500 (the present work is uniquely signed) Signed by hand and dated '00 by KAWS on the underside of the Companion's foot. (see photograph) Manufactured by Bounty Hunter, Tokyo, Japan (Made in China) Brian Donnelly, the ex-Disney illustrator better known as KAWS, created his first vinyl toy in 1999: an eight-inch “Companion” whose round belly, noodly limbs, and white gloves immediately reminded viewers of the cartoons like Mickey Mouse made famous by his former workplace. Taking the art world by storm, Companion is a darker version of the cartoon characters that eerily saturate contemporary life, with a skull and cross bone head and X-eyes. KAWS first introduced the Companion in 1999 as a toy figure with Japanese brand Bounty Hunter. They were produced in an edition of 500 and sold out almost immediately. Since then, the popularity of the figure has skyrocketed and led to collaborations with some of the most reputable brands in the world including UNIQLO UT, Nike, Jordan Brand, and Dior Homme. This limited edition work is KAWS 1st Companion was done more than two decades ago (in 1999). It was created in an edition of only 500, but this one was also, exceptionally and uniquely boldly signed in the Millenium in indelible marker on the bottom of the feet - dated '00. This early KAWS Companion is reproduced and documented on page 232 of the monograph KAWS by Monica Ramirez-Montagut, (Hardcover), Skira Rizzoli - the first comprehensive monograph on the artist, published in 2010. There have since been many more companions over the decades, the recent ones being open editions and unsigned sold en masse for thousands of dollars --whereas here is the first - from 1999 - limited edition and hand signed. This is a true collectible. Own a piece of KAWS history!! KAWS BIOGRAPHY: (Born 1974) KAWS engages audiences beyond the museums and galleries in which he regularly exhibits. His prolific body of work straddles the worlds of art and design to include paintings, murals, graphic and product design, and large-scale sculptures. Over the last two decades KAWS has built a successful career with work that consistently shows his formal agility as an artist, as well as his underlying wit, irreverence, and affection for our times. His refined graphic language revitalizes figuration with both big, bold gestures and playful intricacies. KAWS often appropriates and draws inspiration from pop culture animations, forming a unique artistic vocabulary across mediums. Admired for his larger-than-life sculptures and hardedge paintings that emphasize line and color, KAWS’ cast of hybrid cartoon characters are the strongest examples of his exploration of humanity. As seen in his collaborations with global brands, KAWS’ imagery possesses a sophisticated humor and reveals a thoughtful interplay with consumer products. With their broad appeal, KAWS’ artworks are highly sought-after by collectors inside and outside of the art world, establishing him as a uniquely prominent artist and influence in today’s culture. KAWS (b. 1974, Jersey City, New Jersey; lives and works in Brooklyn, New York) has exhibited extensively in renowned institutions, including solo exhibitions at – Serpentine Gallery, London, United Kingdom (2022); Mori Arts Center Gallery, Tokyo, Japan (2021); The Brooklyn Museum, New York (2021); The National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia (2019); Fire Station, Qatar Museums, Doha, Qatar (2019); Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, Michigan (2019), Contemporary Art Museum of St. Louis, Missouri (2017); Modern Art Museum
 of Fort Worth, Texas (2016) which traveled to the Yuz Museum, Shanghai, China (2017); Yorkshire Sculpture Park and Longside Gallery, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom (2016); The Brooklyn Museum, New York (2015); Centro de Arte Contemporáneo, Málaga, Spain (2014); Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, Overland Park, Kansas (2013); Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia (2013); High Art Museum, Atlanta, Georgia (2011); and Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, Ridgefield, Connecticut (2011). -Courtesy Skarskedt Gallery
  • Creator:
    KAWS (American)
  • Creation Year:
    1999
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 7.75 in (19.69 cm)Width: 4.25 in (10.8 cm)Depth: 2.25 in (5.72 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
    Minor scuffing otherwise the work is in very good condition; held in original box which is vintage in fair to good condition (see photos).
  • Gallery Location:
    New York, NY
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU1745213086582
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