KAWS Exposed 1999 (KAWS 1999 artist book)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Related Categories: KAWS 1999. KAW phone booth advertisements. KAWS Running Chum.
21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art More Art
Paper
KAWS Exposed 1999 (KAWS 1999 artist book)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Related Categories: KAWS 1999. KAW phone booth advertisements. KAWS Running Chum.
Paper
$38,500
H 7.75 in W 4.25 in D 2.25 in
KAWS - Limited Edition Historic 1st Companion ever uniquely Hand Signed & Dated
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
This limited edition work is KAWS 1st Companion was done more than two decades ago (in 1999).
Resin, Mixed Media
$1,000
H 8.8 in W 6.2 in
KAWS - Exposed, early (1999) softcover Franch monograph, limited edition of 2000
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
KAWS Exposed, 1999 Early Illustrated softcover book with French folded flaps, published in Paris 8 4/5 × 6 1/5 inches Limited Edition of 2000 Published by Colette and printed by La P...
Offset
Super Model #1 & #2 by KAWS
By KAWS
Located in Stamford, CT
A pair of early prints by KAWS being sold together. Supermodel #1 1999 Supermodel #2, 1999 Screen prints signed in pencil, numbered and dated 99.
Paper
$47,970
H 34.5 in W 27 in D 1 in
Supermodel 2 Screen Print, Hand Signed, Street Art, 1999, Edition 7/50
By KAWS
Located in Aventura, FL
Screen print in colors on Rives BFK wove paper. Hand signed, dated and numbered by the artist. Artwork size 29.2 x 21 inches. Custom framed as pictured. Frame size approx 34.5 x 2...
Paper, Screen
KAWS: Time Off Pink Vinyl Figure, 2010+, Authentic Art Toy
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
In 1999, KAWS designed his first toy for the Japanese company Bounty Hunter, a vinyl figure of rounded Mickey Mouse shape with x-ed out eyes, a motif which has now become a signature...
Plastic
KAWS: Time Off Black Vinyl Figure, 2010+, Authentic Art Toy
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
In 1999, KAWS designed his first toy for the Japanese company Bounty Hunter, a vinyl figure of rounded Mickey Mouse shape with x-ed out eyes, a motif which has now become a signature...
Plastic, Acrylic Polymer
$18,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 35 in W 23 in
Blame Game II Screen Print by KAWS, Contemporary, Framed, 2014
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
In 1999, KAWS designed his first toy for the Japanese company Bounty Hunter, a vinyl figure of rounded Mickey Mouse shape with x-ed out eyes, a motif which has now become a signatur...
Screen
$18,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 35 in W 23 in
Blame Game III Screen Print by KAWS, Contemporary, Framed, 2014
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
In 1999, KAWS designed his first toy for the Japanese company Bounty Hunter, a vinyl figure of rounded Mickey Mouse shape with x-ed out eyes, a motif which has now become a signatur...
Screen
$1,680
H 11.6 in W 7.7 in D 4 in
'CHUM' Yellow Vinyl Figure by KAWS, Open Edition, 2023, Stamped, 11.6"
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
In 1999, KAWS designed his first toy for the Japanese company Bounty Hunter, a vinyl figure of rounded Mickey Mouse shape with x-ed out eyes, a motif which has now become a signature...
Vinyl
$2,000
H 7 in W 11 in D 6 in
KAWS: Time Off Blue Vinyl Figure, 2010+, Plastic, 7x11x6 in, New
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
In 1999, KAWS designed his first toy for the Japanese company Bounty Hunter, a vinyl figure of rounded Mickey Mouse shape with x-ed out eyes, a motif which has now become a signature...
Plastic
$18,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 35 in W 23 in
Blame Game IX Screen Print by KAWS, Signed, Limited Edition, 2014
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
In 1999, KAWS designed his first toy for the Japanese company Bounty Hunter, a vinyl figure of rounded Mickey Mouse shape with x-ed out eyes, a motif which has now become a signatur...
Screen
$18,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 35 in W 23 in
Blame Game VIII Screen Print by KAWS, Signed, Limited Edition, 2014
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
In 1999, KAWS designed his first toy for the Japanese company Bounty Hunter, a vinyl figure of rounded Mickey Mouse shape with x-ed out eyes, a motif which has now become a signatur...
Screen
$18,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 35 in W 23 in
Blame Game X Screen Print by KAWS, Signed, Limited Edition, 2014
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
In 1999, KAWS designed his first toy for the Japanese company Bounty Hunter, a vinyl figure of rounded Mickey Mouse shape with x-ed out eyes, a motif which has now become a signatur...
Screen
$18,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 35 in W 23 in
Blame Game V Screen Print by KAWS, Signed, Limited Edition, 2014
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
In 1999, KAWS designed his first toy for the Japanese company Bounty Hunter, a vinyl figure of rounded Mickey Mouse shape with x-ed out eyes, a motif which has now become a signatur...
Screen
$18,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 35 in W 23 in
Blame Game IV Screen Print by KAWS, Signed, Limited Edition, 2014
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
In 1999, KAWS designed his first toy for the Japanese company Bounty Hunter, a vinyl figure of rounded Mickey Mouse shape with x-ed out eyes, a motif which has now become a signatur...
Screen
$18,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 35 in W 23 in
Blame Game VI Screen Print by KAWS, Signed, Limited Edition, 2014
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
In 1999, KAWS designed his first toy for the Japanese company Bounty Hunter, a vinyl figure of rounded Mickey Mouse shape with x-ed out eyes, a motif which has now become a signatur...
Screen
$18,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 35 in W 23 in
Blame Game VII Screen Print by KAWS, Signed, Limited Edition, 2014
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
In 1999, KAWS designed his first toy for the Japanese company Bounty Hunter, a vinyl figure of rounded Mickey Mouse shape with x-ed out eyes, a motif which has now become a signatur...
Screen
$18,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 35 in W 23 in
Blame Game I Screen Print by KAWS, Contemporary, Signed, 2014, Framed
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
In 1999, KAWS designed his first toy for the Japanese company Bounty Hunter, a vinyl figure of rounded Mickey Mouse shape with x-ed out eyes, a motif which has now become a signatur...
Screen
$1,680
H 11.6 in W 7.7 in D 4 in
'CHUM' Orange Vinyl Figure, Contemporary, Open Edition, 2023, Unframed
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
In 1999, KAWS designed his first toy for the Japanese company Bounty Hunter, a vinyl figure of rounded Mickey Mouse shape with x-ed out eyes, a motif which has now become a signature...
Vinyl
$30,000
H 39 in W 27 in D 1 in
Blame Game III Silkscreen Print, Pop Art, Signed, Edition 30/100
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
In 1999, KAWS designed his first toy for the Japanese company Bounty Hunter, a vinyl figure of rounded Mickey Mouse shape with x-ed out eyes, a motif which has now become a signature...
Paper, Screen
TOKION POSTER (KAWS x CHRISTY TURLINGTON)
By KAWS
Located in Hong Kong, HK
offset lithograph in colours on smooth wove paper
Offset
Untitled (Samurai)
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
1999 Offset lithograph in colors on paper Sheet: 14 1/5 x 10 1/5 in. Edition unknown Signed in plate on recto
Lithograph, Offset
Untitled (Boy in a Park)
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
1999 Offset lithograph in colors on paper Sheet: 14 1/5 x 10 1/5 in. Edition unknown Signed in plate on recto
Lithograph, Offset
Untitled (Couple in Fighting Position)
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
1999 Offset lithograph in colors on paper Sheet: 14 1/5 x 10 1/5 in. Edition unknown Signed in plate on recto
Lithograph, Offset
Untitled (Two Figures With Champagne Glass)
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
1999 Offset lithograph in colors on paper Sheet: 14 1/5 x 10 1/5 in. Edition unknown Signed in plate on recto
Lithograph, Offset
KAWS Tokion poster 1999 (KAWS Christy Turlington)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
This example was created by KAWS and was plastered throughout San Francisco in 1999.
Lithograph, Offset
KAWS, 'Blame Game' IV, 2014
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
In 1999, KAWS designed his first toy for the Japanese company Bounty Hunter, a vinyl figure of rounded Mickey Mouse shape with x-ed out eyes, a motif which has now become a signatur...
Screen
KAWS, 'Blame Game' II, 2014
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
In 1999, KAWS designed his first toy for the Japanese company Bounty Hunter, a vinyl figure of rounded Mickey Mouse shape with x-ed out eyes, a motif which has now become a signatur...
Screen
KAWS, 'Blame Game' II, 2014
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
In 1999, KAWS designed his first toy for the Japanese company Bounty Hunter, a vinyl figure of rounded Mickey Mouse shape with x-ed out eyes, a motif which has now become a signatur...
Screen
KAWS, 'Blame Game' I, 2014
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
In 1999, KAWS designed his first toy for the Japanese company Bounty Hunter, a vinyl figure of rounded Mickey Mouse shape with x-ed out eyes, a motif which has now become a signatur...
Screen
KAWS, 'Blame Game' III, 2014
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
In 1999, KAWS designed his first toy for the Japanese company Bounty Hunter, a vinyl figure of rounded Mickey Mouse shape with x-ed out eyes, a motif which has now become a signatur...
Screen
Twins by Kaws and Todd James
By KAWS
Located in Weesp, NL
In 1999 KAWS began to design and produce his first limited-edition vinyl toy with the Japanese clothing brand Bounty Hunter, which was an instant hit with the global art-toy collecti...
Twins by Kaws and Todd James, 2004
By KAWS
Located in Weesp, NL
In 1999 KAWS began to design and produce his first limited-edition vinyl toy with the Japanese clothing brand Bounty Hunter, which was an instant hit with the global art-toy collecti...
KAWS, 'Holiday Limited' Art Toy Grey, 2019
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
In 1999, KAWS designed his first toy for the Japanese company Bounty Hunter, a vinyl figure of rounded Mickey Mouse shape with x-ed out eyes, a motif which has now become a signatur...
Vinyl
KAWS, TAKE (KAWSONE: OPEN EDITION), PINK, 2020
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
In 1999, KAWS designed his first toy for the Japanese company Bounty Hunter, a vinyl figure of rounded Mickey Mouse shape with x-ed out eyes, a motif which has now become a signatur...
Plastic, Vinyl
KAWS, 'MBF: Man's Best Friend' X, 2016
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
In 1999, KAWS designed his first toy for the Japanese company Bounty Hunter, a vinyl figure of rounded Mickey Mouse shape with x-ed out eyes, a motif which has now become a signatur...
Screen
KAWS, 'MBF: Man's Best Friend' VIII, 2016
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
In 1999, KAWS designed his first toy for the Japanese company Bounty Hunter, a vinyl figure of rounded Mickey Mouse shape with x-ed out eyes, a motif which has now become a signatur...
Screen
KAWS, 'MBF: Man's Best Friend' IX, 2016
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
In 1999, KAWS designed his first toy for the Japanese company Bounty Hunter, a vinyl figure of rounded Mickey Mouse shape with x-ed out eyes, a motif which has now become a signatur...
Screen
KAWS, 'MBF: Man's Best Friend' I, 2016
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
In 1999, KAWS designed his first toy for the Japanese company Bounty Hunter, a vinyl figure of rounded Mickey Mouse shape with x-ed out eyes, a motif which has now become a signatur...
Screen
KAWS, 'MBF: Man's Best Friend' II, 2016
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
In 1999, KAWS designed his first toy for the Japanese company Bounty Hunter, a vinyl figure of rounded Mickey Mouse shape with x-ed out eyes, a motif which has now become a signatur...
Screen
KAWS, 'MBF: Man's Best Friend' IV, 2016
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
In 1999, KAWS designed his first toy for the Japanese company Bounty Hunter, a vinyl figure of rounded Mickey Mouse shape with x-ed out eyes, a motif which has now become a signatur...
Screen
Pinocchio and Jiminy Cricket, Disney + KAWS, Art Toy, 2010
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
In 1999, KAWS designed his first toy for the Japanese company Bounty Hunter, a vinyl figure of rounded Mickey Mouse shape with X'd out eyes, a motif which has now become a signature...
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS, 'Blame Game' Complete Portfolio (Set of 10), 2014
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
In 1999, KAWS designed his first toy for the Japanese company Bounty Hunter, a vinyl figure of rounded Mickey Mouse shape with x-ed out eyes, a motif which has now become a signatur...
Screen
KAWS, 'SHARE' Open Edition Vinyl Art Toy, Brown/Blue, 2020
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
In 1999, KAWS designed his first toy for the Japanese company Bounty Hunter, a vinyl figure of rounded Mickey Mouse shape with x-ed out eyes, a motif which has now become a signatur...
Vinyl
KAWS, 'SHARE' Open Edition Vinyl Art Toy, Brown/Blue, 2020
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
In 1999, KAWS designed his first toy for the Japanese company Bounty Hunter, a vinyl figure of rounded Mickey Mouse shape with x-ed out eyes, a motif which has now become a signatur...
Vinyl
Sold
H 11.03 in W 4.73 in D 2.76 in
KAWS: Companion Flayed (Black) - Vinyl Sculpture, Urban, Street art, Pop Art
By KAWS
Located in Madrid, Madrid
Companion is the first character created by KAWS back in 1999, inspired by the figure of Mickey Mouse, with which the artist has made all his artistic experiments.
Plastic
KAWS Companion Five Years Later Glow in the Dark Limited Edition
By KAWS
Located in Weesp, NL
Measurements : H.38cm x W.17 x D. 13cm. In 1999 KAWS began to design and produce his first limited-edition vinyl toy with the Japanese clothing brand Bounty Hunter, which was an i...
Plastic
Skateboard deck
By KAWS
Located in Washington , DC, DC
Extremely rare KAWS Skateboard deck from 1999 and very early into his career.
Screen, Board
SUPERMODEL 2
By KAWS
Located in Aventura, FL
Screen print in colors on paper. Hand signed, dated and numbered by the artist. Artwork size 29.2 x 21 inches. Custom framed as pictured. Frame size approx 34.5 x 27 inches. Fro...
Paper, Screen
STAR WARS BOBA FETT SCULPTURE , 2013
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
In 1999, KAWS designed his first toy for the Japanese company Bounty Hunter, a vinyl figure of rounded Mickey Mouse shape with x-ed out eyes, a motif which has now become a signature...
Metal
MBF: Man's Best Friend' X
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
In 1999, KAWS designed his first toy for the Japanese company Bounty Hunter, a vinyl figure of rounded Mickey Mouse shape with x-ed out eyes, a motif which has now become a signature...
Screen
'MBF: 'Man's Best Friend' II
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
In 1999, KAWS designed his first toy for the Japanese company Bounty Hunter, a vinyl figure of rounded Mickey Mouse shape with x-ed out eyes, a motif which has now become a signature...
Screen
'MBF: 'Man's Best Friend' V
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
In 1999, KAWS designed his first toy for the Japanese company Bounty Hunter, a vinyl figure of rounded Mickey Mouse shape with x-ed out eyes, a motif which has now become a signature...
Screen
'MBF: 'Man's Best Friend' IV
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
In 1999, KAWS designed his first toy for the Japanese company Bounty Hunter, a vinyl figure of rounded Mickey Mouse shape with x-ed out eyes, a motif which has now become a signature...
Screen
MBF: 'Man's Best Friend' VI
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
In 1999, KAWS designed his first toy for the Japanese company Bounty Hunter, a vinyl figure of rounded Mickey Mouse shape with x-ed out eyes, a motif which has now become a signature...
Screen
'Man's Best Friend' VIII Silkscreen Print, 2016
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
In 1999, KAWS designed his first toy for the Japanese company Bounty Hunter, a vinyl figure of rounded Mickey Mouse shape with x-ed out eyes, a motif which has now become a signature...
Screen
'MBF: Man's Best Friend' I
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
In 1999, KAWS designed his first toy for the Japanese company Bounty Hunter, a vinyl figure of rounded Mickey Mouse shape with x-ed out eyes, a motif which has now become a signatur...
Screen
KAWS, Astro Boy (2012)
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
In 1999, KAWS designed his first toy for the Japanese company Bounty Hunter, a vinyl figure of rounded Mickey Mouse shape with x-ed out eyes, a motif which has now become a signatur...
Vinyl
KAWS: Time Off Pink Vinyl Figure, 2010+, Authentic Art Toy
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
In 1999, KAWS designed his first toy for the Japanese company Bounty Hunter, a vinyl figure of rounded Mickey Mouse shape with x-ed out eyes, a motif which has now become a signature...
Plastic
Untitled (Female Figure)
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
1999 Offset lithograph in colors on paper Sheet: 14 1/5 x 10 1/5 in. Edition unknown Signed in plate on recto
Lithograph, Offset
$1,090
H 3.35 in W 5.71 in D 5.71 in
Naoshima Red Pumpkin. Resin Sculpture by Yayoi Kusama
By Yayoi Kusama
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Yayoi Kusama Cast resin multiple sculpture painted in colors, 2019, with the artist's stamped signature and title on the underside, from a limited edition of undisclosed size, publis...
Resin
Geometric Mid Century Open Bookcase
Located in Westwood, NJ
Finished in Batavia Black with a Sandbar finish interior, this bookcase showcases rhythmic, crescent-shaped oval cut-outs that form an architectural silhouette—an homage to the sculp...
Wood
Pair of 70s Style Italian Bamboo and Brass Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Monumental size Bamboo lamps. Crafted in Italy and made to order, these lamps are modern and chic. Production lead time 2-4 weeks. Base diameter 8 inches, hat diameter 20 inches, he...
Brass
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 8.5 in W 5.4 in
Jean-Michel Basquiat Annina Nosei Gallery NY 1982-1988 (Basquiat Annina Nosei)
By Jean-Michel Basquiat
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Jean-Michel Basquiat, Annina Nosei Gallery, New York, 1982-1988: A set of 3 rare vintage original Basquiat announcement cards from 1982, 1986, 1988, respectively - with 2 published d...
Lithograph, Offset
$349,500
H 100 in W 52 in D 2 in
Statue of Liberty, Huge Original Acrylic Painting, Pop Art, Framed, 2000
By Peter Max
Located in Aventura, FL
Original acrylic painting on canvas. Hand-signed and dated in acrylic on front by Peter Max. Canvas size 96 x 48 inches. Frame size aprox 100 x 52 inches. Peter Max studio catalog...
Canvas, Acrylic
Balloon Dog (Blue)
By Jeff Koons
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Balloon Dog (Blue) 2021. Porcelain with metallic chromatic coating Limited edition of 69/799 ex. Certificate of authenticity and the original box. Incised signature, edition number,...
Metal
$500
H 6 in W 11 in
Takashi Murakami Kanye West 2007 (Takashi Murakami Louis Vuitton)
By Takashi Murakami
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Takashi Murakami, Kanye West, Louis Vuitton; Los Angeles 2007 (Murakami Gala): Rare folding invitation published on the occasion of a 2007 reception honoring Takashi Murakami and fa...
Offset, Paper
$825
H 32 in W 18 in
Nevermind - Playful Steel & Metal Street Sign Inspired Free Standing Sculpture
By Scott Froschauer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Positive street signs and mindful messages characterize the work of multidisciplinary artist Scott Froschauer. Froschauer utilizes a practice called "cultural jamming," which appropr...
Metal, Steel
$349,950
H 22.05 in W 29.92 in
Banksy Barely Legal Set of 6 Screen Prints, Unsigned, 2006, Pest Control COA
By Banksy
Located in Aventura, FL
Banksy's Barely Legal is a set of six screen prints on paper named after the Barely Legal exhibition held in 2006 in a warehouse in Los Angeles. From the unsigned edition and each n...
Paper, Screen
$6,000
H 13 in W 6.25 in D 4.5 in
Swedish Fish Glass Water Bag - Limited Edition Hyperreal Glass Sculpture
By Dylan Martinez
Located in East Quogue, NY
NEW! Limited Edition Hyperreal Swedish Fish glass water bag sculpture - solid and hollow glass by Dylan Martinez. Martinez's hyperreal sculptures are hand-molded, hot-sculpted glass...
Glass
$1,380
H 8.5 in W 8.25 in D 3 in
They Rode to Save Wildlife (Red) 95/100 - Bronze Sculpture, Contemporary, 2010
By Gillie and Marc Schattner
Located in Bloomfield, ON
This contemporary bronze figurative tabletop sculpture featuring animals is by Gillie and Marc. The British/Australian artistic duo of Gillie and Marc’s humorous bronze sculptures h...
Bronze
Hebru Brantley Flyboy (Hebru Brantley art toy)
By Hebru Brantley
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Hebru Brantley Flyboy, 2018. New in its original packaging. Medium: Painted cast vinyl. Dimensions: 9 x 8 x 4 inches (22.9 x 20.3 x 10.2 cm). New, never displayed; accompanied by ...
Resin, Vinyl
$3,400
H 18.5 in W 17 in D 18 in
CHROMA aka Rick Wolfryd ¨KNOCK OUT: from the GREATEST SERIES¨ 2026 2 pieces !!
By CHROMA aka Rick Wolfryd
Located in Cuauhtemoc, Ciudad de México
THE GREATEST!!!!!! ALTERATION ART . . . is a collaboration process between CHROMA aka Rick Wolfryd, fine artist and art dealer with over 40 years experience, and various Mexican Hui...
Glass, Mixed Media
$1,670
H 16 in W 24 in D 6 in
Trio Amigos Disney Sculpture, Pop Art, Resin and Glitter, 21st Century
By Mauro Oliveira
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
**NEW YEAR FINAL 90 DAYS SALE UNTIL MARCH 31ST** **STORE CLOSURE - UP TO 80% OFF - TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT** **EVERYTHING MUST GO UNTIL APRIL1ST!** TRIO AMIGOS i...
Glass, Resin, Wood, Glitter, Acrylic, Wood Panel, Plastic
$7,200
H 2 in Dm 45 in
IRIS I - unique abstraction of colors in circular glass frame (45" diameter)
By Frank Schott
Located in San Francisco, CA
a mesmerizing sea of blue, green and ocre color tones from an ongoing photography project since the late 1990s, capturing the details of the human iris and a pupil's unique abstracti...
Plexiglass, Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Photographic Film
$1,600
H 39.5 in W 26.5 in
Jean-Michel Basquiat Gagosian gallery Los Angeles 1986 (exhibition poster)
By Jean-Michel Basquiat
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Jean-Michel Basquiat Gagosian Gallery 1986: Original 1980’s Basquiat exhibition poster, published on the occasion of: Jean-Michel Basquiat at Larry Gagosian Gallery, 510 North Robert...
Paper
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.