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KAWS Art

American

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.

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Artist: KAWS
Dealer: Lot 180
KAWS HOLIDAY JAPAN (Set o4 KAWS plates)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS: HOLIDAY JAPAN Mount Fuji Ceramic Plate Set (Set of 4): This standout KAWS ceramic plate set was published by All Rights Reserved to commemorate the ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Art

Materials

Lithograph, Screen, Resin, Vinyl

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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary KAWS Art

Materials

Resin, Vinyl

KAWS Black BFF Companion (KAWS BFF black)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Black BFF new, unopened in its original packaging. A well-received work and variation of KAWS' large scale BFF sculpture is in Los Angeles's Playa Vista neighborhood. Completel...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Art

Materials

Resin, Vinyl

KAWS WHAT PARTY black (KAWS Black Companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS WHAT PARTY Black: This KAWS Companion vinyl sculpture features KAWS' signature CHUM character in a sloping position. Published to commemora...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Art

Materials

Resin, Vinyl

KAWS Holiday Companions: set of 6 works (KAWS brown companion 2019-2022)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Companion 2019-2022: A curated set of 6 individual Brown KAWS 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 Fuji...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Art

Materials

Resin, Vinyl

KAWS FAMILY set of 2 works (brown & black KAWS Family companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS FAMILY 2021 set of 2 (KAWS FAMILY brown & KAWS FAMILY black): A well-received work and variation of KAWS' larger FAMILY sculpture - this highly ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Street Art KAWS Art

Materials

Resin, Vinyl

KAWS SMALL LIE Black & KAWS Along The Way Black (set of 2 works)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS SMALL LIE Companion: Black &KAWS Along The Way Black set of 2 works: This set features two of KAWS' iconic pieces; KAWS’s Small Lie features the Pinocchio-inspired figure bows i...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Art

Materials

Vinyl, Resin

KAWS SHARE (KAWS black share companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS SHARE (Black), new & unopened in its original packaging: KAWS SHARE first appeared in 'BLACKOUT' – the first London solo exhibition by KAWS (Skarstedt London 2019). In SHARE, ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Art

Materials

Resin, Vinyl

KAWS HOLIDAY UK set of 3 works (KAWS United Kingdom)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS: HOLIDAY United Kingdom: Complete Set of 3 works (KAWS UK): KAWS' signature character COMPANION presented in an upright standing position with its eyes covered. 3 individual works (black, brown, & grey), each new in their original packaging - published by All Rights Reserved to commemorate the debut of KAWS’ sculptural hot-air balloon — one of the world’s largest at 42 meters tall, flying over the English country-side of Bristol. Each figure comes individually housed in a standout KAWS designed hard case Medium: Set of 3 Painted cast resin vinyl figures. Dimensions: 12 inches in height (applies to each individual piece). New, unopened; excellent condition. Stamped on the underside from a sold out edition of unknown. Includes artist card as pictured. A great wall or shelf set that would look fantastic displayed either in or out of the case. KAWS UK Holiday (further background): The sculptural hot-air balloon KAWS: HOLIDAY UK — one of the world’s largest at 42 meters tall — reimagines the artist’s signature work, COMPANION, in larger-than-life proportions. KAWS first set flight to his unique flying creation in Bristol, allowing his Holiday Companion to soar miles above breathtaking greenery, dominating the British skies in its debut. KAWS 'Holiday' first debuted at Seokchon Lake in Seoul in 2018 and these large inflatable real life works have since been exhibited in Hong Kong, Taipei, and Virginia...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Art

Materials

Resin, Vinyl

KAWS Holiday Plush Companion (KAWS plush brown)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Plush Holiday Companion Limited Edition: This 20" brown KAWS plush was published to commemorate the debut of KAWS’ floating art piece in Hong Kong during Hong Kong Art Basel 2019. A well-sized standout KAWS collectible that would look great in any setting. Medium: Plush figurine. Year: 2019 Dimensions: 20 inches tall. New in original packaging, with tags; excellent condition. From a sold out edition of 2000. Embroidered KAWS signature on the underside of each foot. KAWS is an American graffiti artist and designer known for his toys, paintings, and prints. Born Brian Donnelly on November 4, 1974 in Jersey City, NJ, KAWS graduated with a BFA from the School of Visual Arts in New York and went on to work in animation. “When your whole art is based on the lettering you choose, you kinda figure out what ones work together. I just liked the shapes of the k, a, w, s,” he explained of his moniker. Having started as a graffiti artist in New York in the early 1990s, KAWS began reworking advertisements in his distinctive style. Pop Art and culture permeate his cartoonish Companion series of figurines, which bear a resemblance to the works of Takashi Murakami. KAWS worked together with Nike in 2017 to produce an Air Jordan...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Art

Materials

Cotton

KAWS WHAT PARTY KAWS BFF (set of 2 works)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS WHAT PARTY White & Blue BFF Companion, set of 2 works: This set features KAWS Companion vinyl sculpture with KAWS' CHUM character in a hunc...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary KAWS Art

Materials

Resin, Vinyl

KAWS Passing Through Companion Set (complete set of three 2018)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Companion Passing Through Complete Set of 3 (2018). Each new and sealed in their original packaging. The most iconic of the KAWS C...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Art

Materials

Resin, Vinyl

KAWS Taipei Holiday Companion Brown (KAWS Brown Companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Brown Holiday Companion (KAWS Taipei) This figurine features KAWS' signature character COMPANION in a resting seated position. The piece was publishe...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Art

Materials

Vinyl

KAWS FAMILY complete set of 3 works (KAWS Family companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS FAMILY 2021: complete set of 3 works: These well-received, highly collectible KAWS Companion sets were published on the occasion of KAWS’ first large scale Japanese museum exhib...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Art

Materials

Resin, Vinyl

KAWS SHARE black (KAWS black share companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS SHARE (Black), new & unopened in its original packaging. KAWS SHARE first appeared in 'BLACKOUT' – the first London solo exhibition by KAWS (Skarstedt London 2019). In SHARE, K...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Art

Materials

Vinyl, Resin

KAWS GONE KAWS BFF Companions (set of 2 works)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS GONE Black & KAWS Black BFF Companions (set of 2 works 2017-2019): Medium: Vinyl paint & Cast Resin (applies to each work). Published 2017 & 2019, respectively. GONE: 14.25 x ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Art

Materials

Resin, Vinyl

KAWS 2011 The Aldrich (announcement)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum (June 27, 2010 to January 2, 2011, Ridgefield, CT): Rare original program to KAWS' first solo exhibition. Staple-bound museum program; approximately 10-15 pages featuring photos & text highlighting the evolution of the artist. Offset printed; 6.5 x 10.5 inches (folded closed). Very good overall condition. Scarce. About KAWS: “KAWS” are a graffiti artist, illustrator, painter, sculptor, product designer and toymaker. His cartoonish style, including his best-known characters with X-ed out eyes has its roots in his early career as a street artist, when he began replacing advertisements with his own, masterful acrylic paintings in the early, 1990s. Since, Kaws has embraced the commercialist spirit of Claes Oldenburg and Takashi Murakami, designing everything from Kanye West album covers to NIKE sneakers...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Street Art KAWS Art

Materials

Lithograph, Offset

KAWS Along The Way Brown (KAWS brown Companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Brown Along The Way Companion. New and unopened in its original box. The KAWS Along The Way figurine is a rendition of the artist's 2013 eighteen-foot wood sculpture originally exhibited at Mary Boone gallery New York. The KAWS Along The Way figurine is a rendition of the artist's 2013 18 foot wood sculpture originally exhibited at Mary Boone gallery NY. Along the Way presents a unique pose for KAWS’s signature Companion characters. KAWS' design features two of his iconic companions leaning on each other for emotional support, hands heavy, and eyes cast downward. Two years later, KAWS supersized the composition, installing an 18-foot-tall wooden version of Along the Way in the lobby of the Brooklyn Museum, which the museum also acquired for its permanent collection. Large scale versions of Along the Way have also been exhibited at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, Yorkshire Sculpture Park in England, the Yuz Museum in Shanghai, and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth in Texas. Medium: Painted Vinyl Cast Resin. 10.5 x 9 x inches. New in original box; excellent condition. From a sold out unnumbered edition. KAWS 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. Related Categories Banksy. Shepard Fairey. Street Art. Damien Hirst. Art toys. Kaws Companion. Kaws toys...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Art

Materials

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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Art

Materials

Resin, Vinyl

KAWS SHARE brown (KAWS brown companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS SHARE (Brown), new & unopened in its original packaging. KAWS SHARE first appeared in 'BLACKOUT' – the first London solo exhibition by KAWS (Skarstedt London 2019). In SHARE, K...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary KAWS Art

Materials

Resin, Vinyl

KAWS Companion 2016 (KAWS Flayed)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Red Blush Companion 2016 (KAWS Flayed): New and sealed in its original packaging. Published by Medicom Japan in conjunction with the exhibition, KAWS:...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Art

Materials

Resin, Vinyl

KAWS Dissected Milo Companion (KAWS Milo)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Dissected Milo Grey & White Companion, 2011: From a scarce 2011 collaboration between KAWS and the early influential KAWS collector, Nigo and his brand Bape (A Bathing Ape...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Art

Materials

Resin, Vinyl

KAWS SHARE set of 2 works (KAWS Share companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS SHARE Companion (Set of 2: Black & Grey): Set of 2 KAWS SHARE figurative sculptures, each new & unopened in its original packaging. KAWS SHARE first appeared in 'BLACKOUT' – th...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Art

Materials

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 ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Art

Materials

Resin, Vinyl

KAWS Hong Kong Holiday Companion (KAWS grey companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Hong Kong 'Holiday' Companion: This highly collectible great KAWS Holiday figurine was published by All Rights Reserved to commemorate the debut of a large scale KAWS floating figure in Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Art

Materials

Vinyl, Resin

KAWS Holiday SPACE Companion (KAWS silver holiday space)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS:HOLIDAY SPACE (Silver), is a celebration of 20 years of the KAWS Companion. Using a sounding balloon, the KAWS:HOLIDAY SPACE was sent up 41.5km into...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Art

Materials

Polyurethane

KAWS Companion 2016: set of 2 works (KAWS companion set)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Companion 2016 (Set of 2 individual works): each, new and sealed in their original packaging. These iconic KAWS figurative sculptures were published by Medicom Japan in conjunct...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Art

Materials

Resin, Vinyl

KAWS Flayed Companion 2016 (KAWS brown flayed companion 2016)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Brown Flayed Companion 2016. New and sealed in its original packaging. Published by Medicom Japan in conjunction with the exhibition, KAWS: Wher...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Art

Materials

Resin, Vinyl

KAWS SEPARATED set of 2 works (KAWS Separated Companion set)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS SEPARATED (Set of 2 Works: Black & Grey): each new & unopened in original packaging: These highly collectible KAWS SEPARATED figures are derived fr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary KAWS Art

Materials

Resin, Vinyl

KAWS Pink BFF vinyl (Pink KAWS BFF Companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Rare KAWS BFF Pink new, unopened in its original packaging. A well-received work and variation of KAWS’ large scale BFF sculpture is in Los Angeles's Playa...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary KAWS Art

Materials

Resin, Vinyl

KAWS GONE set of 2 (KAWS gone companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS GONE: Set of 2 new & unopened in original packaging. A well-received work and variation of KAWS' large scale GONE sculpture - a key highlight of KAWS’ ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Street Art KAWS Art

Materials

Resin, Vinyl

KAWS Clean Slate Grey (KAWS grey Companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Clean Slate (grey) new & unopened in its original packaging. A well-received work and variation of KAWS' large scale Clean Slate sculpture - a key highlight of KAWS’ major mus...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Art

Materials

Vinyl, Resin

KAWS SHARE Set of 2 (KAWS brown grey share companions)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS SHARE: Set of 2, 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). Medium: Painted Vinyl Cast Resin. 2020. 12.4 x 6.3 inches (applies to each individual). New, never displayed; accompanied by original packaging. From a sold out edition of unknown. Stamped to the underside of feet. 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, born Brian Donnelly, straddles the worlds of art as well as design with a prolific body of work that ranges from paintings, murals, and large-scale sculptures to merchandise, furniture, and toys. It often centers on Companion, a depressed Mickey Mouse–like character with X’s for eyes. KAWS got his start as a street artist in the late ’90s. His practice has earned him major shows at the Brooklyn Museum, the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, and the Yuz Museum in Shanghai, among other institutions. Evoking the sensibilities of Pop artists such as Andy Warhol and Keith Haring, KAWS embarks on culturally impactful collaborations and explores the intersection of art and commerce...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Art

Materials

Resin, Vinyl

KAWS GONE set of 2 (KAWS companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS GONE: set of 2 (Black & Brown), new & unopened in original packaging. A well-received work and variation of KAWS' large scale GONE sculpture - a key highlight of KAWS’ recent exhibition, 'KAWS: Companionship in the Age of Loneliness...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Art

Materials

Resin, Vinyl

KAWS Brown GONE (KAWS GONE brown & blue)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS GONE (Brown), new & unopened in its original packaging. A well-received work and variation of KAWS' large scale GONE sculpture - a key highlight of KAWS’ recent exhibition, 'KAWS: Companionship in the Age of Loneliness...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Art

Materials

Resin, Vinyl

KAWS Black Flayed Companion (KAWS flayed)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Black Flayed Companion 2016. A rare, out of print KAWS figurative sculpture new and sealed in its original packaging. Published by Med...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract KAWS Art

Materials

Resin, Vinyl

KAWS SHARE Set of 2 (KAWS share companion black & brown)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS SHARE: Set of 2; Brown & Black; each new & unopened in its original packaging. KAWS SHARE first appeared in 'BLACKOUT' – the first London solo exhibition by KAWS (Skarstedt Lon...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Art

Materials

Resin, Vinyl

KAWS TAKE Companion (black KAWS Take)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS TAKE (Black) new & unopened in its original packaging. A standout KAWS figurative sculpture and variation of KAWS' large scale TAKE sculpture - a key h...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Art

Materials

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...
Category

2010s Street Art KAWS Art

Materials

Resin, Vinyl

KAWS Clean Slate complete set of 3 works (KAWS Companion clean slate set)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Clean Slate: Complete Set of 3 (Black, Brown & Grey): A well-received set of KAWS Companion figures and variation of KAWS’ large scale Clean Slate sculpture held within the perm...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Art

Materials

Vinyl, Resin

KAWS BFF Companions: Set of 2 works (KAWS BFF vinyl)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS BFF Set of 2: New, unopened in its original packaging. A well-received variation of KAWS' large scale BFF sculpture is in Los Angeles's Playa Vista ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Art

Materials

Resin, Vinyl

KAWS SMALL LIE complete set of 3 works (KAWS small lie companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS SMALL LIE: Complete Set of Three. Each new and sealed in their original packaging. These KAWS figurative pieces are a rendition of Small Lie produced in collaboration with Qatar Museums, a 30-feet-tall sculpture constructed out of African hardwood; the same size and material to create his previous SMALL LIE figure at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park in England in 2016. Medium: Painted vinyl cast resin. Dimensions: 11 × 4.5 inches (applies to each individual). New/unopened; excellent condition (applies to each). Stamped on underside of each individual foot. Executed in 2017, this work is from a sold out edition of unknown published by Medicom Japan. KAWS (b. 1974, Jersey City, New Jersey; lives and works in Brooklyn, New York) is renowned for his prolific body of work that straddles the worlds of art and design to include paintings, murals, graphic and product design, street art, 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 standout 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 precise paintings that emphasize line and color, KAWS’s cast of hybrid cartoon characters are the strongest examples of his exploration of humanity. As seen in his collaborations with global brands, the artist’s imagery possesses a sophisticated humor and reveals a thoughtful interplay with consumer products. With their broad appeal, KAWS’s 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.  Related Categories Kaws Companion. Kaws Pinocchio...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Art

Materials

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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Art

Materials

Resin, Vinyl

KAWS WHAT PARTY set of 2 works (KAWS Companion set)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS WHAT PARTY (Set of 2 works: pink & yellow) 2 individual KAWS Companions featuring KAWS' CHUM character in a hunched position. Published to commemorate the debut of KAWS’ larger ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Art

Materials

Resin, Vinyl

KAWS SHARE KAWS TAKE (set of 2 black KAWS companions)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS SHARE, KAWS TAKE: Set of 2 black KAWS figurative sculptures, each new & unopened in original packaging. Medium: Painted Vinyl Cast Resin (applies to each). SHARE: 12.4 x 6.3 inches. TAKE: 13.4 x 6 inches. Condition: New, unopened in original box; excellent condition (applies to each). Each from a sold out edition of unknown. Stamped on the underside of each foot. Shipped securely from New York. KAWS uses two of his characters here to convey opposing human attitudes. In the sculpture TAKE, the BFF holds a child Companion defensively, pulling it back in a gesture of mistrust as if to prevent someone else from touching it; the child cowed looks to the ground, the fear is transferred. In SHARE, the Companion is secure and looks outward, holding but not attached to the toy in its hand. KAWS’ figures...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Art

Materials

Resin, Vinyl

KAWS BFF Vinyl Companions (KAWS Set of 2)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS BFF Blue & Pink (set of 2), each new, unopened in original packaging. KAWS BFF is a well-received work and variation of KAWS' large-scale sculpture in Los Angeles's Playa Vista neighborhood. Medium: Vinyl Paint, Cast Resin. Published by Medicom Japan. 2017. 13 x 5.7 x 3.25 inches (applies to each individual). Unopened; excellent condition. From a sold out un-numbered edition. New and sealed in their original packaging. Shipped securely from New York, NY. 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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Art

Materials

Vinyl, Resin

KAWS COMPANION 2020 (KAWS brown 2020 companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS 2020 Companion (Brown): KAWS COMPANION 2020 was created by KAWS to commemorate the 20th anniversary of his signature figure, Companion — and ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Art

Materials

Vinyl, Resin

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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Art

Materials

Vinyl, Resin

KAWS WHAT PARTY white (KAWS white what party companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS WHAT PARTY White: This KAWS Companion vinyl sculpture features KAWS' CHUM character in a hunched position. Published to commemorate the deb...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Art

Materials

Vinyl, Resin

KAWS Tokyo First exhibition poster 2001
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Tokyo First Exhibit Poster 2001: 2001 KAWS Parco Gallery poster featuring a photograph by fashion photographer David Sims reimagined by KAWS in his classic 1990's interventionist style. A KAWS Kimpsons Krusty the Clown graces the background while a signature iconic KAWS Bendy wraps itself around the model. Reverse side features exhibition info from Parco Gallery, including Supreme and A Bathing Ape...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Street Art KAWS Art

Materials

Offset, Lithograph

KAWS SMALL LIE complete set of 3 works (KAWS small lie companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS SMALL LIE: Complete Set of Three. Each new and sealed in their original packaging. These KAWS figurative pieces are a rendition of Small Lie produced in collaboration with Qatar Museums, a 30-feet-tall sculpture constructed out of African hardwood; the same size and material to create his previous SMALL LIE figure at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park in England in 2016. Medium: Painted vinyl cast resin. Dimensions: 11 × 4.5 inches (applies to each individual). New, never displayed; accompanied by original packaging (applies to each). Stamped on underside of each individual foot. Executed in 2017, this work is from a sold out edition of unknown published by Medicom Japan. KAWS (b. 1974, Jersey City, New Jersey; lives and works in Brooklyn, New York) is renowned for his prolific body of work that straddles the worlds of art and design to include paintings, murals, graphic and product design, street art, 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 standout 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 precise paintings that emphasize line and color, KAWS’s cast of hybrid cartoon characters are the strongest examples of his exploration of humanity. As seen in his collaborations with global brands, the artist’s imagery possesses a sophisticated humor and reveals a thoughtful interplay with consumer products. With their broad appeal, KAWS’s 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.  Related Categories Kaws Companion. Kaws Pinocchio...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Art

Materials

Resin, Vinyl

KAWS Passing Through Companion 2018 (KAWS companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Grey Passing Through Companion 2018. New and sealed in its original packaging. The most iconic of the KAWS Companions, this passing through piece was published by KAWS One, and has since sold out. Medium: Painted vinyl cast resin figure. Year: 2018. Dimensions: 8 × 3.4 × 5 inches. New, unopened in its original packaging. From a sold out edition of unknown. Stamped by artist on underside of both feet. Safely packed and shipped from New York. 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. Related Categories Retna. Street Art. Damien Hirst. Banksy. Kaws Companion. Kaws Star...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Art

Materials

Resin, Vinyl

KAWS Companion 2016: set of 4 works (KAWS companion set)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Companions 2016 (Set of 4 individual works): KAWS Companion: Brown, Black, Grey & Red full body 2016 - each, new and sealed in their original packaging. These iconic KAWS figura...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Art

Materials

Vinyl, Resin

KAWS Holiday Companion (KAWS brown companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS 'Holiday' Companion This figurine was published by All Rights Reserved to commemorate the debut of a large scale KAWS floating figure for Seoul’s Seokchon Lake during summer 2018. New in its original packaging. Medium: Vinyl Year: 2018 Dimensions of figurine: 8.25 x 1.5 inches (can also be displayed in package, which measures 11 inches in height). Unopened; excellent condition From a sold out un-numbered edition More on KAWS Holiday Companion Seokchon Lake, which is located in the South Korean capital's Songpa district, previously hosted the world-famous inflatable "Rubber Duck" on a tour of its waters in 2014. "I just wanted to do a water piece," said KAWS, "I was just thinking about being on vacation, and when you just drift in a pool and stare upwards, and that's really the beginning of the work. I feel like, in these times, we need things to help us relax." (source: CNN) KAWS is a fine artist, illustrator, painter, sculptor, product designer, and toymaker. His cartoonish style—including his best-known characters with X-ed out eyes—has its roots in his early career as a street artist, when he began replacing advertisements with his own, masterful acrylic paintings in the early 1990s. Related Categories Street Art. Retna. Shepard Fairey. Damien Hirst. Pop Art. Kaws sculpture. Kaws open edition...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Art

Materials

Vinyl, Resin

KAWS Holiday Companion Japan (KAWS black companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Black Holiday Companion (KAWS Mount Fuji Japan): This figurative vinyl sculpture features KAWS' signature character COMPANION in a resting position. Published by All Rights Res...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Art

Materials

Vinyl, Resin

KAWS SMALL LIE Brown (brown KAWS Companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS SMALL LIE Brown: Among KAWS’s signature “Companions,” Small Lie has the most childlike resonance. Clothed in overall shorts, the Pinocchio-inspire...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Art

Materials

Vinyl, Resin

KAWS TAKE Pink (pink KAWS Take companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS TAKE (Pink) figurative sculpture new & unopened in its original packaging. A well-received work and variation of KAWS' large scale TAKE sculpture - a k...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Art

Materials

Vinyl, Resin

KAWS Clean Slate Set of 2 (KAWS clean slate brown & grey)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Clean Slate set of 2 (Grey & Brown), new & unopened in original packaging. A well-received work and variation of KAWS' large scale Clean Slate s...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Art

Materials

Vinyl, Resin

Kaws art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic KAWS art available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of art to introduce a pop of color in a neutral corner of your living room or bedroom, you can find work that includes elements of blue, pink, purple and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by KAWS in paint, synthetic resin paint, vinyl paint and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 21st century and contemporary and is mostly associated with the Pop Art style. Not every interior allows for large KAWS art, so small editions measuring 2 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Peter Max, Robert Indiana, and Heidler & Heeps. KAWS art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $125 and tops out at $200,000, while the average work can sell for $1,970.
Questions About KAWS Art
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 27, 2024
    What is so special about KAWS is that the American artist creates imaginative pieces that appropriate pop phenomena like the Smurfs, the Simpsons and SpongeBob SquarePants. He is particularly well known for his toys, including his debut figure, Companion, inspired by Mickey Mouse. He has also teamed up with streetwear brands like A Bathing Ape and Supreme and collaborated with designer Kim Jones on the Dior Homme Spring/Summer 2019 collection. Find a range of KAWS art on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Brooklyn, New York artist KAWS uses a variety of mediums for his work, with acrylic painting, screen prints and sculptures being the most predominant. On 1stDibs, find a collection of authentic KAWS pieces from some of the world’s top sellers.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024
    The most popular KAWS art is a topic that is open to debate. However, his first-ever toy design is a favorite among collectors. Called COMPANION, it is an eight-inch-tall vinyl reimagining of Mickey Mouse with a skull-and-crossbones head and trademark XX eyes. COMPANION debuted with a limited run of 500 and sold out quickly. Find an assortment of KAWS figures on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024
    Many people consider KAWS’s art type to be Pop art. The style first emerged in the 1950s. In stark contrast to traditional artistic practice, Pop art’s practitioners drew on imagery from popular culture, using things like comic books, advertising, product packaging and other commercial media to create original paintings, prints and sculptures that celebrated ordinary life in the most literal way. In his work, KAWS similarly appropriates pop phenomena like Mickey Mouse, the Smurfs, the Simpsons and SpongeBob SquarePants. Shop a selection of KAWS art on 1stDibs.
  • Irena Orlov ArtMarch 1, 2021
    Kaws' Companion is a clown-like figure based on a Mickey Mouse with X-ed out eyes.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    A KAWS figure is a toy or figurine comparable to an action figure, created by the American artist, Brian Donnelly, who is known professionally as KAWS. Called ‘companions’, the figures are in KAWS’ signature style, and monster-size versions have been seen everywhere from Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbor to Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. Shop a selection of KAWS pieces from some of the world’s top art dealers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024
    KAWS is famous for producing figures, toys, sculptures, drawings, paintings and prints that borrow from pop culture phenomena like the Smurfs, the Simpsons and SpongeBob SquarePants. In 1999, he partnered with Bounty Hunter, a Japanese toy and streetwear brand, to release his first toy. Called Companion, it was an 8-inch-tall vinyl reimagining of Mickey Mouse, with a skull-and-crossbones head and XX eyes. Companion debuted with a limited run of 500 and sold out quickly. The piece was the first of more than 130 toy designs by KAWS, which came to include such characters as Chum, Blitz, Be@rbrick, BFF and Milo, each immediately recognizable as KAWS figures by their XX eyes. Explore a selection of KAWS art on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMay 14, 2024
    There is no owner of KAWS. KAWS is not a company or a business; it is the name of artist Brian Donnelly. He got his start as a graffiti artist in New Jersey and used the tag KAWS to sign his work 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 culture phenomena like the Smurfs, the Simpsons and SpongeBob SquarePants. Shop a variety of KAWS art on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024
    The word KAWS means an American artist. Born Brian Donnelly, KAWS adopted the name when he was active as a graffiti artist in New Jersey and New York. In interviews, he has explained that KAWS has no particular meaning to him. He simply chose the name because he liked how the characters looked. He is most well known for his line of whimsical figures with double-X eyes. Explore a range of KAWS art on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 13, 2024
    KAWS art is the general term for works created by the American artist KAWS. He is best known for his more than 130 toy designs, which include such characters as Chum, Blitz, Be@rbrick, BFF and Milo, each immediately recognizable as his work by their XX eyes. In addition, KAWS produces sculptures, drawings, paintings and prints. On 1stDibs, shop a range of KAWS art.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 16, 2024
    No, Bearbrick and KAWS are not the same. However, they have collaborated with one another many times. KAWS is the pseudonym of the artist Brian Donnelly, while Bearbrick is a brand of collectible designer toys produced by the Japanese company MediCom Toy Incorporated. On 1stDibs, find a variety of KAWS art.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Yes, KAWS are always produced in limited edition runs. KAWS is a New York-based artist who designs limited edition toys and clothing. He is known for creating figurines that mix both high- and low-brow art. Widely popular with pop culture enthusiasts and collectors, KAWS art can only be found through select retailers. Find a range of KAWS art for sale on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    KAWS is an American artist, toy and clothing designer. Born in New Jersey under the name Brian Donnelly, he became interested in graffiti very early on. He earned a BFA and began working for Disney. His artwork gained popularity and he began traveling and designing toys and clothing while continuing art and sculptures. On 1stDibs, find a variety of original artwork from top artists.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 25, 2024
    The artist behind KAWS is Brian Donnelly. As a kid in Jersey City, New Jersey, he got into graffiti art, using KAWS as his tag. Today, KAWS creates a diverse range of art and design objects. There are KAWS figures and toys, sculptures, colorful drawings, paintings and prints that appropriate pop phenomena like the Smurfs, the Simpsons and SpongeBob SquarePants. On 1stDibs, shop a range of KAWS art.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023
    A KAWS FAMILY set is a collection of four sculptures created by artist Brian “KAWS” Donnelly that come in a set. The term family refers to the fact that the set comprises two large and two small figures, so side by side, they resemble parents and children. Donnelly released the sets on September 13, 2021, in an assortment of colorways. On 1stDibs, find a selection of authentic KAWS sculptures.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 3, 2024
    How KAWS makes his sculptures varies. The New Jersey-born artist Brian “KAWS” Donnelly works with a variety of materials, including fiberglass, wood and bronze. By mixing up his techniques and experimenting with different mediums, KAWS can incorporate various colors and textures into his sculptures, figures and toys, and continues to innovate his practice.

    In 1999, KAWS partnered with Bounty Hunter, a Japanese toy and streetwear brand, to release his first toy. 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 (and counterfeiters have since taken notice).

    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.

    Find authentic KAWS art on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 21, 2024
    What KAWS’s art means is open to interpretation. 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. Companion is now the most visible of the KAWS posse, appearing over the past decade in new postures and combinations in monumental works. 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 explained in the catalogue for an exhibition at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, in Texas. “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.” On 1stDibs, find a diverse assortment of KAWS art.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Yes, artist Brian Donnelly, known professionally as KAWS, does make his own art. He admits he has a regimented schedule now that he has children, and finds that this has made him more productive, allowing him to focus on sculptures and paintings in the mornings. On 1stDibs, find a variety of original artwork from top artists.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 16, 2024
    KAWS uses acrylic paint for many of his works. The artist has said in the past that he has custom paints produced for him by the company Golden. When painting his figurines, KAWS uses a technique that makes the brushstrokes virtually invisible. Find a variety of KAWS art on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    The KAWS Take open edition is a type of vinyl figurine sold as a decorative object or work of art. Arton Contemporary produces the figurines in limited quantities. The open edition Take debuted in 2020. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of KAWS art.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 21, 2024
    What makes KAWS’s art unique is the artist's innovative approach to his work. The American artist seamlessly blends elements of Pop art, street art and popular culture into his pieces. He is known for putting a creative spin on familiar characters and his playful figurines, which often feature double-X eyes. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of art by KAWS.

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