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 COMPANION 2020 (KAWS grey 2020 companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS 2020 Companion (Grey): KAWS COMPANION 2020 was created by KAWS to commemorate the 20th anniversary of his signature figure, Companion — and a...
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS 2019 "Along the Way" Gray Set of two vinyl figures from Medicom Toy Corp.
By KAWS
Located in Boca Raton, FL
"Along the Way" set of two gray painted vinyl figures from open edition released in 2019 by artist KAWS (a.k.a. Brian Donnelly) in original box from Medico...
Vinyl
Blame Game VII Screen Print by KAWS, Signed, Limited Edition, 2014
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
The ‘Blame Game' VII by KAWS is an exceptionally rare screenprint, one of the ten in the portfolio series created in 2014. A completely new, individual, brightly colored screenprint ...
Screen
KAWS CLEAN SLATE set of 2 works
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Clean Slate Set of 2 (Black & Grey), new & unopened in their original packaging. A well-received work and variation of KAWS' large scale Clean Slate sculpture - a key h...
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS Changbai black (KAWS holiday chanbgai)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Holiday Changbai Mountain (KAWS black Changbai): A beautifully composed KAWS COMPANION published to commemorate KAWS' larger-scale ...
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS: Time Off Pink Vinyl Figure, 2010+, Authentic Art Toy
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
'KAWS: TIME OFF Pink' Vinyl Figure is a bright pink vinyl and resin art toy posed in a relaxed, lounging manner. The figurine is a marvelous addition to any surface area, and is able...
Plastic
Blame Game II Screen Print by KAWS, Contemporary, Framed, 2014
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
The ‘Blame Game' II by KAWS is an exceptionally rare screenprint, one of the ten in the portfolio series created in 2014. A completely new, individual, brightly colored screenprint s...
Screen
KAWS Clean Slate Companion (KAWS brown clean slate)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Clean Slate (Brown), new & unopened in its original packaging. A well-received work and variation of KAWS' large scale Clean Slate sculpture - a key ...
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS CHUM set of 5 works (KAWS Chum companion set)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS CHUM Companion 2022: set of 5 works: This complete set of 5 KAWS CHUM Companions, was published by KAWS to commemorate the 20th anniversary of his famed Chum character; "I can r...
Resin, Vinyl
Bronze - Space, 2022 Limited Edition of 250 Sculpture by KAWS
By KAWS
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Bronze - Space, 2022
Bronze sculpture with original case
Incised signature, date and number on the bottom,
Signed on the certificate
14 × 6.3 × 5.7 c...
Bronze
$269Sale Price|34% Off
KAWS, New Fiction Book, 2023
By KAWS
Located in Manchester, GB
KAWS, New Fiction Book, 2023 9 1/2 × 7 7/10 in 24.1 × 19.6 cm Hand-signed New Fiction hardback book from Phaidon's sold out release featuring 230 illustrations in this 280-page boo...
Magazine Paper
KAWS Gone, 2019, Limited Edition Print and Limited Edition Exhibition Book
By KAWS
Located in Draper, UT
KAWS, 2019, Limited Edition screenprint from an edition 380 of 750. 15 in x 12 in. Signed and numbered by artist. Incredible print and beyond iconic. Great investment in one of the p...
Screen
KAWS MONSTERS: set of 2 works (KAWS Companion set)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Monsters (set of 2 works): A highly collectible & super decorative set of KAWS art toys, featuring the famed cereal characters: Frankenberry & Count Chocula. A playful exploration of KAWS’s love for these timeless pop cultural characters featuring his signature motifs. Each new / never displayed; accompanied by full original packaging. Medium: Vinyl art toys; set of 2 individual works. Approximate dimensions of each individual work: 11.4 × 6.3 inches. New in original packaging. Published by the artist from a sold out edition of unknown. Further background: “Inspired by classic horror film characters, the Monster Cereals...
Resin, Vinyl
$15,000
UNTITLED (SNOOPY)
By KAWS
Located in Aventura, FL
Screen print cutout on Saunders Waterford 425gm HP Hi-White paper. Hand signed, dated and numbered by the artist. Artwork size 10.5 x 8 inches. Custom framed as pictured. Frame si...
Paper, Screen
KAWS Companion 2016 (KAWS grey companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Grey Companion, 2016. New and sealed in its original packaging. Published by Medicom Japan in conjunction with the exhibition, KAWS: Where The...
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS Companion 2016: complete set of 8 works (KAWS Flayed KAWS full body 2016)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Companion 2016, Complete Set of 8 works. Each new and sealed in original packaging. Published by Medicom Japan in conjunction with the exhibition, KAWS: Where The End Starts at ...
Resin, Vinyl
$3,424Sale Price|25% Off
KAWS x Peanuts Joe Snoopy Vinyl Figure
By KAWS
Located in BRUCE, ACT
KAWS x Peanuts Joe Snoopy Vinyl Figure, 2011 The KAWS x Peanuts Joe Snoopy Vinyl Figure stands about 21 cm tall, and the mostly white Joe Snoopy is donning a yellow t-shirt with "JOE...
Vinyl
KAWS UK Holiday & KAWS Passing through (set of 2 KAWS companions)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS UK Holiday Companion Brown & KAWS Passing through: 2 works: KAWS UK Holiday: KAWS' signature character COMPANION presented in an upright and seated position with its eyes covered. Published to commemorate the debut of KAWS’ large sculptures...
Resin, Vinyl
Blame Game III Screen Print by KAWS, Contemporary, Framed, 2014
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
The ‘Blame Game' III by KAWS is an exceptionally rare screenprint, one of the ten in the portfolio series created in 2014. A completely new, individual, brightly colored screenprint ...
Screen
KAWS HOLIDAY: set of 6 works (KAWS black companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Holiday Companion (2019-2022): A curated set of 6 individual Black KAWS: HOLIDAY Companions new & unopened in original packaging. These KAWS holiday companions were born out of KAWS' world famous rotating series of large scale outdoor public exhibitions featuring massive sized renditions of same. A standout series of individual KAWS companions that works nicely in any setting. Please find further information as follows: KAWS UK (12 inches in height). KAWS Mount Fuji Japan (9.4 inches). KAWS Taipei (5.5 x 7 inches). KAWS Changbai...
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS SEPARATED KAWS Changbai (KAWS companion set of 2 works)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS SEPARATED & KAWS Holiday Changbai (set of 2 works): These highly collectible KAWS SEPARATED and KAWS HOLIDAY Changbai figures are derived from the Brooklyn based artist’s larger...
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS Companions 2016: set of 2 (KAWS flayed companions)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Flayed Companion: Set of 2. Each, new and sealed in their original packaging. Published by Medicom Japan in conjunction with the exhibition, KAWS: Where The End Starts at the Mo...
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS WHAT PARTY (set of 2 works)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS WHAT PARTY; Set of 2 works (pink & black): Two individual KAWS Companions featuring KAWS' CHUM character in a hunched position. Published to commemorate the debut of KAWS’ large...
Resin, Vinyl
Original KAWS Signed Screenprint, 2020, URGE 10
By KAWS
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: KAWS Medium: Screenprint on Saunders Waterford 425gm HP hi-white Title: URGE 10 Portfolio: URGE Year: 2020 Edition: 173/250 Image Size: 11 1/2" x 8 1/2" Sheet Size: 17" x 12 ...
Screen
$2,000
BFF (Pink)
By KAWS
Located in Boston, MA
Artist: KAWS, Title: BFF (Pink) Series: Toys Date: 2018 Medium: Sculpture Unframed Dimensions: 13.5" x 5" x 3.5" Signature: Stamped Edition: Open Edition
PVC
$1,160Sale Price|20% Off
KAWS Holiday Japan Kokeshi wood (set of 3 works)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS: Holiday Japan Kokeshi Dolls: A set of three wood sculptures with original wood presentation box. With each measuring approximately: 4 x 4 inches (10 x 10 x 5.5 cm) Published i...
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS SHARE complete set of 3 works (KAWS Share companion set)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS SHARE Companion (Set of 3): Complete Set of 3 KAWS SHARE figurative sculptures, each new & unopened in its original packaging. KAWS SHARE first appeared in 'BLACKOUT' – the first London solo exhibition by KAWS (Skarstedt London 2019). In SHARE, KAWS uses two of his characters to convey opposing human attitudes- whereby, the Companion is secure and looks outward, holding but not attached to the toy in its hand. Of recent note, KAWS SHARE was open to public display in New York's famed Rockefeller Center in (August 2021). New/never displayed & accompanied by original packaging. Medium: Painted Vinyl Cast Resin. 12.4 x 6.3 inches (applies to each individual). New, unopened in its original box; excellent condition. From a sold out edition of unknown. Stamped to the underside of foot. Packed safely & professionally. We are a trusted leading seller & expert in this category. A leading artist of his generation, Brooklyn-based KAWS engages audiences beyond the museums and galleries in which he regularly exhibits. KAWS is perhaps best known for his iconic character, Companion, which is featured in key paintings, sculptures, products, and toy figures. KAWS’ art possesses a sophisticated humor and thoughtful critique of consumer products. His bold, high-minded graphic language revitalizes figuration with big, bold gestures and keen, playful intricacy. KAWS’ figures...
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS Bus Stop 2002
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS 'Bus Stop' 2002: Paying homage to KAWS’ early days as graffiti artist, the “Bus Stop” features a plastic bus stop and two KAWS toys on the platform. Features iconic KAWS heads, ...
Resin, Vinyl
MBF: 'Man's Best Friend' V Silkscreen Print, Signed, 2016, Framed
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
The specific information regarding edition will be provided at the time of sale. Please contact the seller for more details. The ‘Man's Best Friend' V by KAWS is a signed, numbered,...
Screen
$28,000Sale Price|20% Off
What Party (Orange), KAWS
By KAWS
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: KAWS (1974) Title: What Party (Orange) Year: 2020 Medium: Silkscreen on Saunders Waterford paper Size: 22 x 22 inches Edition: 100, plus 20 proofs Condition: Excellent Inscri...
Screen
KAWS HOLIDAY: collection of 30+ works (KAWS Holiday Companion 2018-2022)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Holiday Companion 2018-2021: A curated set of 32 individual KAWS HOLIDAY Companions; these highly decorative KAWS Companions were produced in conjunction with KAWS’ widely popular, traveling art installation, ‘HOLIDAY'- spanning worldwide destinations, such as: Mt. Fuji Japan, Taipei (Taiwan), Changbai Mountain (China); even launching one into orbit (KAWS Holiday Space). Each new & unopened in their original packaging. Includes the complete sets of (dimensions apply to each individual figure within the set): KAWS UK: complete set of 3 (12 inches in height). KAWS Fuji /Japan: complete set of 3 (9.4 inches). KAWS Taipei: complete set of 3 (5.5 x 7 inches). KAWS Changbai...
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS CHUM pink (KAWS Chum Companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS CHUM Companion 2022 (pink): Published by KAWS to commemorate the 20th anniversary of his famed KAWS’ Chum character; "I can remember clearly packing and...
Resin, Vinyl
$79,950
SUPERMODEL 2
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 COMPANION 2020: Complete Set of 3 Works (KAWS 2020 set)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS 2020 Companion: Complete Set of 3 Works: KAWS COMPANION 2020 was created by KAWS to commemorate the 20th anniversary of his signature figure, Companion — and as cultural commen...
Resin, Vinyl
$1,980Sale Price|25% Off
KAWS "Small Lie (Black)" Toy Sculpture
By KAWS
Located in Boston, MA
Artist: KAWS, Title: Small Lie (Black) Series: Toys Date: 2017 Medium: Sculpture Unframed Dimensions: 11" x 5" x 4.5" Signature: Stamped Edition: Open Edition KAWS (America...
PVC
$1,000Sale Price|20% Off
KAWS Small Lie Black Version Sculpture, Resin and Vinyl Paint, 2010+
By KAWS
Located in Dallas, TX
In December 2017, KAWS released a new version of his classic companion character, titled "Small Lie". The figure features the companion slumped over in what appears to be a disappoin...
Resin, Vinyl
Kaws Blush Set Flayed & Companion YUZ Museum China Decorative Figures Pop Urban
By KAWS
Located in Draper, UT
KAWS is a multi-faceted artist straddling the worlds of art and design in his prolific body of work that ranges from paintings, murals, and large-scale sculptures to product design a...
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS Small Lies Sculptures Set of 3 2017 Brooklyn Street Art Contemporary
By KAWS
Located in Draper, UT
KAWS is a multi-faceted artist straddling the worlds of art and design in his prolific body of work that ranges from paintings, murals, and large-scale sculptures to product design a...
Resin, Acrylic
KAWS Untitled Green Image From the Urge Series Signed Limited Screenprint
By KAWS
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Artist: KAWS Title: Untitled Green Image from the Urge Series Medium: Limited Edition Screenprint Sheet Size: 18" x 11" Image Size: 11.25" x 8.5" Frame Size: 19.25" x 16.725" x 1.25"...
Screen, Paper
$14,500
Urge (I)
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
A very good impression of this color screenprint on Saunders Waterford paper. Signed, dated and numbered 199/250 in pencil. Published by the artist, New York. From the same titled se...
Color, Screen
UNTITLED (RUNNING SNOOPY)
By KAWS
Located in Aventura, FL
Screen print cutout on Saunders Waterford 425gm HP Hi-White paper. Hand signed, dated and numbered by the artist. Artwork size 9 x 10 inches. Custom framed as pictured. Frame size...
Paper, Screen
BFF Blue (MoMA Exclusive)
By KAWS
Located in Milano, MI
KAWS is a Brooklyn-based artist whose influential body of work masterfully synthesizes the worlds of art and design. Across painting, murals, large-scale sculpture, and street art, a...
Resin
KAWS Holiday Companion (KAWS holiday Hong Kong)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Hon Kong 'Holiday' Companion 2019: This figurine was published by All Rights Reserved to commemorate the debut of a large scale KAWS floating figure in Hong Kong's Victoria Harb...
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS, Gone - Screenprint incl. Limited Edition Catalogue, Signed Print
By KAWS
Located in Hamburg, DE
KAWS (American, b. 1974) Gone, 2019 Medium: Screenprint on Arches Aquarelle 300gsm (incl. limited edition catalogue for the exhibition of KAWS: Companionship in the Ages of Lonelines...
Screen
Wood Hand Sculpture, Pop Art Style, Wood, 2010s, New Condition
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
First published with More Gallery in Switzerland in as part of the 2013 'GISWIL' show, 'Wood Hand' is a rare, smooth wood sculpture created by the prolific street and contemporary ar...
Wood
Kaws Set of 4 Ceramic Red Plates Exclusive Qatar Release
By KAWS
Located in Draper, UT
KAWS (Brian Donnelly) Ceramic Plate Set (Red/White) — Set of Four KAWS × Qatar Museums Doha Fire Station Exclusive, 2019 A pristine, complete set of four limited edition ceramic pl...
Porcelain
KAWS SEPARATED Companion (KAWS black Separated Companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS SEPARATED COMPANION: New & unopened in its original packaging: This highly collectible black KAWS SEPARATED figure is derived from the Brooklyn based artist’s larger scale sculpture of same (originally constructed in 2019), and is a key highlight of the major 2021 KAWS Brooklyn...
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS HOLIDAY Changbai black (KAWS black chanbgai)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Holiday Changbai Mountain (KAWS black Changbai): A beautifully composed KAWS COMPANION published to commemorate KAWS' larger-scale sculpture...
Resin, Vinyl
Blame Game IX Screen Print by KAWS, Signed, Limited Edition, 2014
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
The specific information regarding edition will be provided at the time of sale. Please contact the seller for more details. The ‘Blame Game' IX by KAWS is an exceptionally rare scr...
Screen
Blame Game VIII Screen Print by KAWS, Signed, Limited Edition, 2014
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
The ‘Blame Game' VIII by KAWS is an exceptionally rare screenprint, one of the ten in the portfolio series created in 2014. A completely new, individual, brightly colored screenprint...
Screen
Blame Game VI Screen Print by KAWS, Signed, Limited Edition, 2014
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
The ‘Blame Game' VI by KAWS is an exceptionally rare screenprint, one of the ten in the portfolio series created in 2014. A completely new, individual, brightly colored screenprint s...
Screen
Blame Game V Screen Print by KAWS, Signed, Limited Edition, 2014
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
The ‘Blame Game' V by KAWS is an exceptionally rare screenprint, one of the ten in the portfolio series created in 2014. A completely new, individual, brightly colored screenprint si...
Screen
Blame Game IV Screen Print by KAWS, Signed, Limited Edition, 2014
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
The ‘Blame Game' IV by KAWS is an exceptionally rare screenprint, one of the ten in the portfolio series created in 2014. A completely new, individual, brightly colored screenprint s...
Screen
KAWS Red Blush companions (complete set of 2 works KAWS Companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Red Blush Companions: complete set of 2 works: New and sealed in their original packaging. Published by Medicom Japan in conjunction with the exhibition, KAWS: Where The End Sta...
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS The Promise set of 2 works (KAWS Companion set)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS The Promise (set of 2 works): A unique KAWS Companion set in the artist’s signature black & grey color ways. KAWS The Promise features a blue &...
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS - Unique Cloud Drawing, Hand signed and inscribed Framed Pop Street artist
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
KAWS Cloud Drawing done in white marker on colored paper, 2010 Signed, dated and inscribed to Tim in white marker Floated and framed in a museum quality white wood frame with UV plex...
Paper, Permanent Marker
WHAT PARTY (YELLOW)
By KAWS
Located in Aventura, FL
Screen print in colors on Saunders Waterford hi-white paper. Hand signed, dated and numbered by the artist. Edition 51/100 (there was also 20 APs and 5 PPs). Published by KAWSONE, B...
Paper, Screen
Unique Cloud Drawing, hand signed, dated and inscribed to Caroline, in monograph
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
KAWS Unique Cloud Drawing, inscribed to Caroline Original drawing done in silver marker. Hand signed, inscribed and dated. Held in hardback monograph 11 × 8 3/4 inches Boldly hand s...
Permanent Marker, Offset
2019 "Along the Way" Brown Set of Two Vinyl KAWS Figures from Medicom Toy Corp.
By KAWS
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Set of two brown painted vinyl figures from KAWS' (a.k.a. Brian Donnelly's) 2019 open edition "Along the Way" release. In original box from Medicom Toy Corp. Unsigned.
Vinyl
Paris Cloud Drawing (signed and inscribed to David) unique work on colored paper
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
KAWS Cloud Drawing done in white marker on colored paper, 2010 Signed, dated and inscribed to David in white marker with a dateline of Paris Floated and framed in a white wood frame ...
Paper, Permanent Marker