Lot 28
  • 28

KAWS, Untitled

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Description

  • KAWS
  • Untitled
  • Signed and dated 12 on the reverse
  • Acrylic on canvas
  • Diameter: 101.6 cm, 40 in.
  • Executed in 2012.

Provenance

Private Collection
Private Collection, United States

Exhibited

Atlanta, High Museum of Art, KAWS: DOWN TIME, February 18 - July 29, 2012

Catalogue Note

Born in 1974, KAWS is a Brooklyn-based artist who straddles the line between fine art and popular culture.
Growing up in Jersey City, KAWS started his career as a graffiti artist. He gained popular recognition through his unique interventions on billboards and advertising posters. He has also been highly praised for his brightly coloured acrylic paintings and sculptures.
In 1995, while studying at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan, he began combining his street art with commercial design. He contributed designs for local streetwear label, Subware, founded by fellow graffiti artist, Stash. In 1996, during his first trip to Japan, it was through the introduction of Stash that KAWS met a group of entrepreneurs and youth culture influencers such as NIGO®, who founded the renowned BAPE brand and store. The artist consequently formed a long-lasting friendship and launched several collaborative projects with NIGO®. In the late 1990s, KAWS had an opportunity to design and produce limited-edition toys. These toys instantly became very popular with the global art toy-collecting community.
KAWS’ art has been shown in renowned art galleries and museums worldwide. Some of his most well-known images are versions of pop characters like Mickey Mouse and Astro Boy. Today the artist’s works are actively sought by collectors from the United States, Europe as well as Asia.