Holiday UK (set of two) (2021) by KAWS is a pair of ceramic sculptures, each measuring 43.5 cm, produced in an edition of 1000. The set features the artist’s iconic Companion figure rendered in glossy black and white, both covering their faces in a gesture of vulnerability and introspection. Part of the Holiday series, these works continue KAWS’s exploration of emotion and pop culture through approachable, cartoon-like forms. By juxtaposing playful aesthetics with themes of melancholy and reflection, Holiday UK embodies the artist’s ability to merge contemporary design with deeply human sentiments.
KAWS (USA, 1974), born Brian Donnelly, is a contemporary artist and designer celebrated for his cartoon-inspired sculptures, paintings, and collectible toys. Merging street art and pop culture, his iconic 'Companion' figures and bold graphics have reached global audiences, bridging the worlds of fine art, fashion, and commercial design.
CeramicCeramic is a term used to describe objects made from clay or other inorganic materials. These objects can be either decorative or functional and have been created since at least 4,000 B.C. Ceramic art involves making, decorating, and firing these objects in a kiln, a special high-temperature oven.
Holiday UK (set of two) (2021) by KAWS is a pair of ceramic sculptures, each measuring 43.5 cm, produced in an edition of 1000. The set features the artist’s iconic Companion figure rendered in glossy black and white, both covering their faces in a gesture of vulnerability and introspection. Part of the Holiday series, these works continue KAWS’s exploration of emotion and pop culture through approachable, cartoon-like forms. By juxtaposing playful aesthetics with themes of melancholy and reflection, Holiday UK embodies the artist’s ability to merge contemporary design with deeply human sentiments.
KAWS (USA, 1974), born Brian Donnelly, is a contemporary artist and designer celebrated for his cartoon-inspired sculptures, paintings, and collectible toys. Merging street art and pop culture, his iconic 'Companion' figures and bold graphics have reached global audiences, bridging the worlds of fine art, fashion, and commercial design.
Born Brian Donnelly but creating under a pseudonym, Kaws is an artist renowned for his acrylic paintings and sculptures that often employ repeated and distinctive graphics while reworking highly recognisable pop culture icons – Companion is one of his most notable sculptures, a large-scale, clown-like and darker take on the universally-recognised Mickey Mouse. Kaws’ early foray into art was through the form of street-graffiti; his trademark ‘x’ symbol, often applied over the hands, eyes and mouths of his characters, sprung from this phase in which Kaws would often replace public advertisements with his own artwork, a technique known as subvertising. Kaws uses a number of different materials throughout his creative processes including wood, aluminium, fiberglass and a steel pontoon inflatable raft; he has also collaborated with numerous companies and artists including Santastic! and John Mayer. (Artist website)
Graffiti art refers to drawings and writings that are painted, scratched, or scribbled on walls or other surfaces, typically in public spaces. This art form ranges from small tags to elaborate wall paintings. Graffiti has been in existence since ancient times, with examples dating back to the Roman Empire, Ancient Greece, and Ancient Egypt.