KAWS Mixed Media
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.
21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Mixed Media
Ceramic, Lithograph, Screen
2010s Street Art KAWS Mixed Media
Cotton, Screen, Mixed Media
2010s Pop Art KAWS Mixed Media
Resin, Vinyl
Early 2000s Street Art KAWS Mixed Media
Acrylic, Plastic
21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Mixed Media
Resin, Vinyl
21st Century and Contemporary Street Art KAWS Mixed Media
Resin, Vinyl, Lithograph, Screen
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary KAWS Mixed Media
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary KAWS Mixed Media
Stainless Steel
2010s Street Art KAWS Mixed Media
Archival Paper, Screen
2010s Pop Art KAWS Mixed Media
Enamel
2010s Pop Art KAWS Mixed Media
LED Light, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Board
2010s Feminist KAWS Mixed Media
Resin, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Permanent Marker
Marilyn MinterDonald J. Trump (Silver) 3D Multiple "Presidential" plaque Protest Art, Feminist, 2018
2010s Street Art KAWS Mixed Media
Screen, Archival Paper
Early 2000s Pop Art KAWS Mixed Media
Resin, Mixed Media, Cardboard
1970s Pop Art KAWS Mixed Media
Lithograph, Screen
2010s Abstract Geometric KAWS Mixed Media
Wood, Spray Paint, Vinyl
2010s Pop Art KAWS Mixed Media
Plywood, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Giclée
2010s Abstract KAWS Mixed Media
Fabric, Linen, Mixed Media, Vinyl
Late 20th Century Pop Art KAWS Mixed Media
Lithograph, Offset, Screen
2010s Contemporary KAWS Mixed Media
Screen, Mixed Media
21st Century and Contemporary Street Art KAWS Mixed Media
Offset
21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Mixed Media
Resin, Vinyl
21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Mixed Media
Vinyl, Resin
21st Century and Contemporary Street Art KAWS Mixed Media
Wool
21st Century and Contemporary Street Art KAWS Mixed Media
Wool
2010s Street Art KAWS Mixed Media
Resin, Vinyl
21st Century and Contemporary Street Art KAWS Mixed Media
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Mixed Media
Lithograph, Offset
2010s Street Art KAWS Mixed Media
Polyester
2010s Street Art KAWS Mixed Media
Polyester
21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art KAWS Mixed Media
Lithograph, Offset
Kaws mixed media for sale on 1stDibs.
Artists Similar to KAWS
- Who is the owner of KAWS?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMay 14, 2024There 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.
- What does KAWS mean?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024The 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.
- What is KAWS art?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 13, 2024KAWS 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.
- What does KAWS stand for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMay 30, 2024KAWS doesn't stand for anything, as the name is not an abbreviation. Rather, it is the artistic alias of Brian Donnelly. The name dates back to the start of his career, when he was a street artist known by his tag, KAWS. In interviews, Donnelly has explained that he chose the name KAWS simply because he likes how it looks. Shop a collection of KAWS art on 1stDibs.
- Are Bearbrick and KAWS the same?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 16, 2024No, 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.
- What is so special about KAWS?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 27, 2024What 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.
- What are KAWS figures?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A 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.
- What is a KAWS companion?1 AnswerIrena Orlov ArtMarch 1, 2021Kaws' Companion is a clown-like figure based on a Mickey Mouse with X-ed out eyes.
- What is KAWS brand?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertAugust 8, 2024KAWS brand is a term that some people apply to the pieces produced by the artist KAWS. But technically, KAWS is a person — Brian Donnelly — and not a brand. He 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 1999, KAWS 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. You will sometimes see people refer to these toys as KAWS brand figurines. Shop a diverse assortment of KAWS art on 1stDibs.
- What is KAWS famous for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024KAWS 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.
- Are there fake KAWS?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 13, 2024Yes, there are fake KAWS. Unfortunately, the rising popularity of KAWS figures has brought a proliferation of fakes. To avoid purchasing a replica, familiarize yourself with the nuances of a specific model and study images of authentic figures. Is the color right? Many fakes get the nuances wrong, so be sure to compare the color of your figure to those shown in images of authentic pieces. How about the finish? Check if your particular figure should be matte or shiny. Are there discrepancies in the X’s of the eyes or the placement of design features? For example, a four-foot KAWS Dissected Companion should have 10 dots for the ribs. Many fakes only have nine. You can also seek the opinion of a certified appraiser or knowledgeable dealer when attempting to authenticate a specific figure. On 1stDibs, explore a selection of KAWS art.
- Does KAWS make his sculptures?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, 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 3, 2024How 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. - What paint does KAWS use?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 16, 2024KAWS 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 ExpertFebruary 13, 2024The 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.
- What does KAWS’s art mean?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 21, 2024What 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.
- Why is KAWS so popular in China?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMay 30, 2024KAWS is so popular in China because his artwork appeals to a young demographic that is interested in the bold yet playful style of his figurines, toys, sculptures, prints and other works. The unique street art style of KAWS’s works has broad appeal beyond China as well. His pieces that appropriate elements of pop culture, such as SpongeBob Squarepants and The Simpsons, are especially famous. Shop a wide variety of KAWS art on 1stDibs.
- Is KAWS real art?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 7, 2024Yes, KAWS is real art. Although Brian Donnelly, the artist known as KAWS, often draws inspiration from popular culture, his art includes sculptures and colorful drawings, paintings and prints. His iconic toys and figures also qualify as art, and like prints, they're sold in limited qualities. On 1stDibs, shop a diverse assortment of KAWS art from some of the world's top dealers and galleries.
- Is KAWS a real artist?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 7, 2024Yes, KAWS is a real artist. Born Brian Donnelly, he got his start as a graffiti artist in his hometown of Jersey City, New Jersey. KAWS was his tag, chosen simply because he liked how it looked. Today, KAWS creates all kinds of art, including figures and toys, sculptures and colorful drawings, paintings and prints that appropriate pop phenomena like the Smurfs, the Simpsons and SpongeBob SquarePants. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of KAWS art.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 26, 2024What the KAWS character is called depends on which one you mean, as KAWS has created more than one. Companion is the most visible of the KAWS posse, appearing over the past decade in new postures and iterations in both monumental KAWS statues and small figures. The character is a reimagining of Mickey Mouse with a skull-and-crossbones head and trademark XX eyes. Other KAWS characters include Accomplice, Chum and Bendy. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of KAWS art.