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What does KAWS’s art mean?
1 Answer

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 ExpertFebruary 21, 2024
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Shop for KAWS Art on 1stDibs
Limited Edition Historic 1st Companion Ever, uniquely Hand Signed and Dated KAWS
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
KAWS VERY FIRST COMPANION - HISTORIC
Uniquely Hand signed by the artist.
(the regular edition was unsigned)
KAWS
Limited Edition 1st Companion (Hand Signed by KAWS), 1999
Painted Ca...
Category
1990s Street Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Resin, Mixed Media
Bert & Ernie (Sesame Street) by KAWS
By KAWS
Located in Dubai, Dubai
Bert & Ernie (Sesame Street)
By KAWS
2025
Allrightsreserve x DDT store
Vinyl
30,48 cm / 12,5 in
Limited edition
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Vinyl
KAWS, The Promise (Black), 2022
By KAWS
Located in Manchester, GB
KAWS, The Promise (Black), 2022
Painted vinyl sculpture, available in brown or grey colourways
From the Companion Series.
34 x 16 x 24 cm (13.39 x 6.30 x 9.45 inches)
Mint condi...
Category
2010s Pop Art More Art
Materials
Resin, Vinyl
Sesame Street, Set of 4 (Elmo, Oscar, Big Bird, Bert & Ernie)
By KAWS
Located in Dubai, Dubai
Sesame Street, Set of 4 (Elmo, Oscar, Big Bird, Bert & Ernie)
By KAWS
2025
Allrightsreserve x DDT store
Vinyl
Elmo: 25,4 cm 10 in
Oscar: 25,4 cm 10 in
Big Bird: 33 cm 13 in
...
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Vinyl
KAWS Holiday Taipei (KAWS Black Companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Black Holiday Companion (KAWS Taipei)
This figurative vinyl sculpture features KAWS' signature character COMPANION in a resting seated position. Published by All Rights Reserve...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art More Art
Materials
Resin, Vinyl
Elmo (Sesame Street) by KAWS
By KAWS
Located in Dubai, Dubai
Elmo (Sesame Street)
By KAWS
2025
Allrightsreserve x DDT store
Vinyl
25,4 cm / 10 in
Limited edition
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Vinyl


