KAWS: the iconic artist you might not know

You might know KAWS without knowing you know KAWS, if you know what we mean? The pseudonym of Brian Donnelly, KAWS is an American artist and designer best known for his figures that range in size from a few inches to over 10 feet tall. KAWS figures have similar features, such as large hands, crossed-out eyes, and an eerie Mickey Mouse vibe that isn’t quite suitable for children.

KAWS began his cultural revolution in the early 1990s and now boasts work collected by the likes of Swizz Beats, Pharrell Williams, and K-Pop band BTS. The Brooklyn-based artist mainly focuses on sculpture, acrylic paintings, and screen prints as his mediums. However his commercial collaborations have included toys, skateboard decks, and clothing.

KAWS started out as a graffiti artist

KAWS (which doesn’t mean anything, Donnelly just liked how the letters look as a tag) originally worked as an animator and spent his spare time in New York City’s then-illegal graffiti scene. By night, he would subvertise billboards, bus stops, and phone booths creating parodies of corporate advertisements.

Now, his works and exhibits are displayed around the world. In 2019, a painting commissioned for Nigo, The Kaws Album, sold at auction in Sotheby’s Hong Kong for $14.7 million USD. Though KAWS himself believes his work is not worth the high resale value, the fame has led to multiple commercial collaborations. Van shoes, Kiehl’s cosmetics packaging, John Mayer guitar picks, and Air Jordans are among the products that KAWS has designed for. He’s also worked alongside Kanye West, Travis Scott, and Japanese brand Uniqlo.

Developing a distinctive style

KAWS figures and sculptures often take inspiration from cultural or childhood figures. His work references Mickey Mouse, Spongebob Squarepants, Snoopy, and other similar cartoons. The figures often appear in vulnerable or powerless stances with their hands to their face and their eyes, nose, and mouth crossed out. The large, abstract shapes and sharp lines define KAWS’ style.

His work can be viewed across the world, as well as in multiple books dedicated to KAWS art and stylistics. For a sneak peek from your sofa, view his work @kaws on Instagram. It’s the best place to keep up with KAWS’ new designs and be the first to know about new collaborations and exhibitions.