KAWS

Brian Donnelly, otherwise known as KAWS is an American artist celebrated for his appropriated pop culture icons such as Mickey Mouse. Standing between global commerce and fine art, KAWS has explored the adaptability of varying medias in a commercial focused world, combining larger-than life sculptures, acrylic paintings with major brand collaborations.

Born in New Jersey in 1974, Donnelly attended St. Anthony High School where the now-iconic ‘KAWS’ tag first appeared on the roof of an area building so that he could see it outside while attending class. He later studied at the School of Visual Arts in New York, receiving a BA in illustration, before moving to New York in the 1990s where he worked for Jumbo pictures as an animator on the animated series 101 Dalmatians. 

Animator by day, graffiti artist by night, KAWS soon joined the underbelly of the New York art scene, graffiti-bombing billboards, bus shelters and phone booths with his obscure characters. KAWS quickly gained street accreditation by repeated use of line, colour and imagery, that could be universally understood. ‘Companion’ depicts a shy, clown-like figure based on Mickey Mouse, with two bones protruding from its head. In 1999, Japanese company Bounty Hunter then produced and sold a vinyl Companion toy. In March 2017, he collaborated with Nike who released a capsule collection for Air Jordan sneakers.

Understanding the importance of a new digital era, KAWS created the first virtual exhibition. Partnered by Acute Art, KAWS released ‘EXPANDED HOLIDAYS’ app, allowing viewers to find the ‘Companion’ in 12 specific locations around the world. 

The birth of his animated characters have had record breaking auction results. In 2019, Sotheby’s sold ‘The KAWS Album’, commissioned by NIGO for a staggering $14.8 million, a new record for the artist and far surpassing its $1 million estimate.