Collection:
KAWS
KAWS, born Brian Donnelly in 1974, is an American artist whose career spans graffiti, Pop Art, contemporary fine art, design and commercial culture. He began as a graffiti artist in New Jersey and New York in the 1990s, becoming known for altering advertisements in bus shelters and public spaces with his distinctive cartoon-like imagery. He studied illustration at New York’s School of Visual Arts and later worked as a background painter for animated television.
His visual language is highly recognisable, characterised by crossed-out ‘X’ eyes, skull-and-crossbones motifs, bold graphic forms and reinterpretations of familiar cartoon characters. His best-known creation, COMPANION, first appeared as a limited-edition vinyl figure in 1999 and subsequently became the subject of paintings, sculptures and large-scale public installations. KAWS has also reworked imagery associated with The Simpsons, SpongeBob SquarePants, Snoopy and other popular characters, exploring themes of consumer culture, nostalgia, identity and the emotional power of mass-media imagery.
A defining feature of KAWS’s career is his ability to blur the boundaries between fine art and popular culture. Alongside museum exhibitions and high-value paintings, he has produced collectible figures, clothing and collaborations with major brands. His international profile and art-market presence grew significantly during the late 2010s, establishing him as one of the most recognisable contemporary artists working across fine art and commercial culture.
