American artist KAWS (b. 1974) engages audiences beyond the museums and galleries in which he regularly exhibits. His prolific body of work straddles the worlds of art and design to include paintings, murals, graphic and product design, as well as 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 revitalises figuration with both big, bold gestures and playful intricacies.
KAWS often appropriates and draws inspiration from pop culture animations, forming a unique artistic vocabulary across various mediums. Admired for his larger-than-life sculptures and hardedge paintings that emphasise line and colour, KAWS’ creation of hybrid cartoon characters are the strongest examples of his exploration of humanity. As seen in his collaborations with global brands, KAWS’ imagery possesses a sophisticated humour and reveals a thoughtful interplay with consumer products. With their broad appeal, KAWS’ 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.
‘With a practice formed outside the art world in a parallel world where commerce, craftsmanship, consumption, popular imagery, and taste-making came together, KAWS’s work makes the categories of high and low art irrelevant. His use of cartoon characters offers access to art through a familiar point of entry, one that is not restricted by geography or cultural barriers.’
E. Tsai, ‘KAWS: What Party’, in KAWS: WHAT PARTY, exh. cat., Brooklyn Museum; New York: Phaidon Press Limited, 2021, p. 87
