KAWS Skeleton set of 4 works (KAWS companion skeleton)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
graffiti artist and designer known for his toys, paintings, and prints. Born Brian Donnelly on November 4
Paper, Lithograph, Screen
KAWS FAMILY (black KAWS Family companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
an American graffiti artist and designer known for his toys, paintings, and prints. Born Brian
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS FAMILY (black KAWS Family companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
, paintings, and prints. Born Brian Donnelly on November 4, 1974 in Jersey City, NJ, KAWS graduated from the
Resin, Vinyl
Kaws Cover Art 'New York Magazine, 2009
By KAWS
Located in Brooklyn, NY
optimistic and we felt we could all use a little optimism these days. The career of Kaws, a.k.a. Brian
Paper
KAWS Cover Art 'New York Magazine, 2009
By KAWS
Located in Brooklyn, NY
optimistic—and we felt we could all use a little optimism these days. The career of Kaws, a.k.a. Brian
Paper
Kaws Cover Art 'New York Magazine, 2009'
By KAWS
Located in Brooklyn, NY
optimistic—and we felt we could all use a little optimism these days. The career of Kaws, a.k.a. Brian
Paper
Kaws Cover Art 'New York Magazine 2009'
By KAWS
Located in Brooklyn, NY
could all use a little optimism these days. The career of Kaws, a.k.a. Brian Donnelly, has skyrocketed
Kaws Cover Art 'New York Magazine 2009'
By KAWS
Located in Brooklyn, NY
could all use a little optimism these days. The career of KAWS, a.k.a. Brian Donnelly, has skyrocketed
Kaws Cover Art 'New York Magazine 2009'
By KAWS
Located in Brooklyn, NY
could all use a little optimism these days. The career of KAWS, a.k.a. Brian Donnelly, has skyrocketed
Kaws Cover Art New York Magazine, 2009
By KAWS
Located in Brooklyn, NY
optimistic and we felt we could all use a little optimism these days. The career of Kaws, a.k.a. Brian
Paper
Kaws Cover Art 'New York Magazine, 2009
By KAWS
Located in Brooklyn, NY
, a.k.a. Brian Donnelly, has skyrocketed recently: Just last year, he opened two solo exhibitions (in
Paper
Sold|$85
Kaws Cover Art, 2009
By KAWS
Located in Brooklyn, NY
optimistic and we felt we could all use a little optimism these days. The career of Kaws, a.k.a. Brian
Paper
Kaws Cover Art 'New York Magazine, 2009
By KAWS
Located in Brooklyn, NY
, a.k.a. Brian Donnelly, has skyrocketed recently: Just last year, he opened two solo exhibitions (in
Paper
Kaws Cover Art 'New York Magazine, 2009
By KAWS
Located in Brooklyn, NY
optimistic and we felt we could all use a little optimism these days. The career of Kaws, a.k.a. Brian
Paper
Kaws Cover Art 'New York Magazine, 2009
By KAWS
Located in Brooklyn, NY
, a.k.a. Brian Donnelly, has skyrocketed recently: Just last year, he opened two solo exhibitions (in
Paper
Sold|$85
KAWS Cover Art, 2009
By KAWS
Located in Brooklyn, NY
, a.k.a. Brian Donnelly, has skyrocketed recently: Just last year, he opened two solo exhibitions (in
Paper
Sold|$68
KAWS Cover Art, 2009
By KAWS
Located in Brooklyn, NY
, a.k.a. Brian Donnelly, has skyrocketed recently: Just last year, he opened two solo exhibitions (in
Paper
KAWS Red Blush Companion 2016 (KAWS blush)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
American graffiti artist and designer known for his toys, paintings, and prints. Born Brian Donnelly on
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS FAMILY (grey KAWS Family companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
prints. Born Brian Donnelly on November 4, 1974 in Jersey City, NJ, KAWS graduated from the School of
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS Blush Companion (KAWS red blush)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
, paintings, and prints. Born Brian Donnelly on November 4, 1974 in Jersey City, NJ, KAWS graduated with a BFA
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS Passing Through Companion 2018 (KAWS brown passing through companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
prints. Born Brian Donnelly on November 4, 1974 in Jersey City, NJ, KAWS graduated with a BFA from the
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS Brown Passing Through Companion (KAWS brown companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
prints. Born Brian Donnelly on November 4, 1974 in Jersey City, NJ, KAWS graduated with a BFA from the
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS Red Blush Companion 2016 (KAWS blush)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
, paintings, and prints. Born Brian Donnelly on November 4, 1974 in Jersey City, NJ, KAWS graduated with a BFA
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS Red Blush Companion 2016 (KAWS blush)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
American graffiti artist and designer known for his toys, paintings, and prints. Born Brian Donnelly on
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS FAMILY (grey KAWS Family companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
an American graffiti artist and designer known for his toys, paintings, and prints. Born Brian
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS FAMILY (grey KAWS Family companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
artist and designer known for his toys, paintings, and prints. Born Brian Donnelly on November 4, 1974 in
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS FAMILY (grey KAWS Family companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
artist and designer known for his toys, paintings, and prints. Born Brian Donnelly on November 4, 1974 in
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS TIME OFF pink (KAWS Time Off companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
artist and designer known for his toys, paintings, and prints. Born Brian Donnelly on November 4, 1974 in
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS TIME OFF pink (KAWS Time Off companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
, paintings, and prints. Born Brian Donnelly on November 4, 1974 in Jersey City, NJ, KAWS graduated with a BFA
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS TIME OFF blue (KAWS Time Off companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
American graffiti artist and designer known for his toys, paintings, and prints. Born Brian Donnelly on
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS TIME OFF (KAWS Time Off companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
graffiti artist and designer known for his toys, paintings, and prints. Born Brian Donnelly on November 4
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS TIME OFF blue (KAWS Time Off companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
American graffiti artist and designer known for his toys, paintings, and prints. Born Brian Donnelly on
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS The Promise black (KAWS black Promise)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
artist and designer known for his toys, paintings, and prints. Born Brian Donnelly on November 4, 1974 in
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS Companion 2016 (KAWS black companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
and designer known for his toys, paintings, and prints. Born Brian Donnelly on November 4, 1974 in
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS TIME OFF pink (KAWS Time Off companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
toys, paintings, and prints. Born Brian Donnelly on November 4, 1974 in Jersey City, NJ, KAWS graduated
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS TIME OFF (KAWS Time Off companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
graffiti artist and designer known for his toys, paintings, and prints. Born Brian Donnelly on November 4
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS The Promise (KAWS The Promise brown)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
is an American graffiti artist and designer known for his toys, paintings, and prints. Born Brian
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS TIME OFF pink (KAWS Time Off companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
prints. Born Brian Donnelly on November 4, 1974 in Jersey City, NJ, KAWS graduated with a BFA from the
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS The Promise (KAWS The Promise brown)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
is an American graffiti artist and designer known for his toys, paintings, and prints. Born Brian
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS THE PROMISE (KAWS The Promise Grey)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
, and prints. Born Brian Donnelly on November 4, 1974 in Jersey City, NJ, KAWS graduated with a BFA from
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS TIME OFF pink (KAWS Time Off companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
graffiti artist and designer known for his toys, paintings, and prints. Born Brian Donnelly on November 4
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS The Promise (KAWS The Promise brown)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
is an American graffiti artist and designer known for his toys, paintings, and prints. Born Brian
Resin, Vinyl
Signed KAWS Companion 2015 ( KAWS lane crawford)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
, paintings, and prints. Born Brian Donnelly on November 4, 1974 in Jersey City, NJ, KAWS graduated with a BFA
Cotton
KAWS THE PROMISE (KAWS The Promise Grey)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
, and prints. Born Brian Donnelly on November 4, 1974 in Jersey City, NJ, KAWS graduated with a BFA from
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS HOLIDAY Space & United Kingdom (set of 2 works)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
an American artist and designer known for his toys, paintings, and prints. Born Brian Donnelly in
Polyurethane, Resin, Vinyl
KAWS TIME OFF pink (KAWS Time Off companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
prints. Born Brian Donnelly on November 4, 1974 in Jersey City, NJ, KAWS graduated with a BFA from the
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS The Promise black (KAWS black Promise)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
for his toys, paintings, and prints. Born Brian Donnelly on November 4, 1974 in Jersey City, NJ, KAWS
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS, "Along The Way", Open Edition "Companion" Toy (2019)
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
contemporary artists of our time. Born in 1974 as Brian Donnelly, KAWS is a New York-based artist who has
Vinyl
KAWS Holiday Companions: set of 6 works (KAWS black companion 2019-2022)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
. KAWS is an American graffiti artist and designer known for his toys, paintings, and prints. Born Brian
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS CHUM black (KAWS Chum Companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
designer known for his toys, paintings, and prints. Born Brian Donnelly on November 4, 1974 in Jersey City
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS CHUM orange companion (KAWS Chum)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
, paintings, and prints. Born Brian Donnelly on November 4, 1974 in Jersey City, NJ, KAWS graduated with a BFA
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS CHUM yellow (KAWS Chum Companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
designer known for his toys, paintings, and prints. Born Brian Donnelly on November 4, 1974 in Jersey City
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS Along The Way Grey (KAWS grey Along The Way)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
graffiti artist and designer known for his toys, paintings, and prints. Born Brian Donnelly on November 4
Resin, Vinyl
Signed KAWS artist book 2010 (KAWS Colette Rizzoli blue cover)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
designer known for his toys, paintings, and prints. Born Brian Donnelly on November 4, 1974 in Jersey City
Paper, Lithograph, Offset
KAWS Black Along The Way (black KAWS Along The Way companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
American graffiti artist and designer known for his toys, paintings, and prints. Born Brian Donnelly on
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS CHUM orange companion (KAWS Chum)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
, paintings, and prints. Born Brian Donnelly on November 4, 1974 in Jersey City, NJ, KAWS graduated with a BFA
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS CHUM white (KAWS Chum Companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
designer known for his toys, paintings, and prints. Born Brian Donnelly on November 4, 1974 in Jersey City
Resin, Vinyl
In the beginning, Brian Donnelly was just a kid from Jersey City, New Jersey, who got into the graffiti thing. KAWS was his tag, chosen simply because he liked the way it looked. Today, KAWS creates all kinds of art — there are KAWS figures and toys, sculptures and colorful drawings, paintings and prints that appropriate pop phenomena like the Smurfs, the Simpsons and SpongeBob SquarePants.
In the late 1990s, the artist, a 1996 graduate of New York’s School of Visual Arts, was making a living as an illustrator for the animation studio Jumbo Pictures. Like young Hansel and Gretel with their trail of crumbs, KAWS would mark the morning route to his downtown Manhattan office with “subvertising,” “interrupting” fashion advertisements by adding his colorful character Bendy, its sinuous length sliding playfully around the likes of a Calvin Klein perfume bottle or supermodel Christy Turlington.
These creations gained a following, to the point where work posted in the morning would disappear by lunchtime. Even in those early days, KAWS was hot on the resale market.
“When I was doing graffiti,” he once explained, “it meant nothing to me to make paintings if I wasn’t reaching people.”
Instead of seeking entrée to the elite New York art world (which, frankly, wasn’t looking for a street artist anyway), KAWS moved to Japan, where a flourishing youth culture welcomed visionaries like him.
In 1999, he partnered with Bounty Hunter, a Japanese toy and streetwear brand, to release his first toy. Companion — an eight-inch-tall vinyl reimagining of Mickey Mouse, with a skull-and-crossbones head and trademark XX eyes — debuted with a limited run of 500. It sold out quickly.
Companion was the first of more than 130 toy designs, which came to include such characters as Chum, Blitz, Be@rbrick, BFF and Milo, each immediately recognizable as KAWS figures by their XX eyes. Fans have proved insatiable. In 2017, MoMA’s online store announced the availability of a limited supply of KAWS Companion figures; as avid collectors logged on to stake their claim, the website crashed — multiple times.
Companion is the most visible of the KAWS posse, appearing over the past decade in new postures and combinations in monumental KAWS statues and other works. These include Along the Way (2013), an 18-foot-tall wooden sculpture of two Companions leaning on each other for support; Together (2016), two Companions in a friendly embrace, which debuted during an exhibition of KAWS’s work at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, in Texas; and KAWS:HOLIDAY (2018), a 92-foot-long inflatable Companion floating on its back in Seoul’s Seokchon Lake. The sculptures were re-created as toys, blurring the lines between art and commerce.
KAWS’s visual language may be drawn from cartoons, but his work doesn’t necessarily evoke childlike joy.
“My figures are not always reflecting the idealistic cartoon view that I grew up on,” he explains in the catalogue for the Fort Worth exhibition. “Companion is more real in dealing with contemporary human circumstances . . . . I think when I’m making work it also often mirrors what’s going on with me at that time.”
KAWS's résumé reads like a record of major 21st-century pop-culture moments. It includes his work with streetwear brands like A Bathing Ape and Supreme; his design for the cover of Kanye West’s 2008 album, 808s & Heartbreak; and his collaboration with designer Kim Jones on the Dior Homme Spring/Summer 2019 collection, Jones’s debut as the fashion brand’s creative director.
Learn how to spot a fake KAWS art toy, and browse authentic KAWS figures, prints, sculptures and mixed media works on 1stDibs.
KAWS art toys have developed an avid audience in recent decades, and as in any robust collectible market, counterfeiters have followed the mania. Of course, you don’t have to worry about that on 1stDibs, where all our sellers are highly vetted.
From graffiti tagger to hypebeast obsession to auction hero — we chart the artist’s rise and his widening influence.