Pinocchio (2017) by KAWS is a sculptural reinterpretation of the iconic Disney character, rendered in smooth, richly grained wood. This figure—measuring 40 cm tall—features KAWS’s signature crossed-out eyes and expressive posture, with Pinocchio covering his face in apparent shame or sorrow. The choice of wood adds a tactile, timeless quality to the piece, contrasting with KAWS’s usual industrial materials. Part of the artist’s Pinocchio series, the work reflects on innocence, vulnerability, and transformation, reimagining a familiar childhood figure through a lens of contemporary pop critique and craftsmanship.
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.
WoodWood is one of the most ancient and versatile materials used in creating art. It has served as a base for paintings, brush handles, pens, and pencils, as well as for easels, wood engraving, woodcut, woodblock printing, and sculpting. Various types of wood, such as oak, maple, and pine, are commonly used in these artistic applications.
Pinocchio (2017) by KAWS is a sculptural reinterpretation of the iconic Disney character, rendered in smooth, richly grained wood. This figure—measuring 40 cm tall—features KAWS’s signature crossed-out eyes and expressive posture, with Pinocchio covering his face in apparent shame or sorrow. The choice of wood adds a tactile, timeless quality to the piece, contrasting with KAWS’s usual industrial materials. Part of the artist’s Pinocchio series, the work reflects on innocence, vulnerability, and transformation, reimagining a familiar childhood figure through a lens of contemporary pop critique and craftsmanship.
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.