Overview
Brian Donnelly, also known as KAWS, is an artist, designer, and illustrator who was born in Jersey City, New Jersey in 1974. He attended the School of Visual Arts in New York City and graduated with a BFA in Illustration in 1996. KAWS’s signature style is a combination of graffiti, pop art, and graphic design. He is well known for his characters, which often take the form of cartoon-like figures with oversized heads and hands. He frequently uses the “X” symbol in his artwork, which is meant to represent the “cross-out” of commercialism. KAWS has collaborated with many popular brands, including Nike, Uniqlo, and Supreme. He has also designed toys and merchandise for companies like Kidrobot, Medicom Toy, and OriginalFake. He has had solo exhibitions in galleries around the world, including the Brooklyn Museum and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. In addition to his artwork, KAWS has designed several public sculptures, including “Companion,” which was featured at the Standard Hotel in New York City, and “The KAWS Monument,” which was unveiled in 2020 in Jersey City, the city where he grew up. KAWS is one of the most influential contemporary artists in the world. His work has been featured in books, magazines, and has been acquired by major art institutions. He continues to have a strong presence in the contemporary art world and his work is highly sought after.
Artwork
Enquire