Screen print on Stonehenge gray paper - Published by Serpentine
- Signed, dated and numbered to lower edge
Share by KAWS, created in 2021, is a screen-print on Stonehenge gray paper. This piece features one of KAWS’s iconic characters, Companion, rendered in his familiar cartoon-like style. The figure, characterized by its signature crossed-out eyes and oversized, rounded features, stands holding a smaller, pink plush toy. The monochromatic palette of grays contrasts with the pink toy, drawing attention to the interaction between the figures. The simplicity and playfulness of the composition, combined with the subtle emotional depth, evoke themes of connection, nostalgia, and childhood innocence, which are central motifs in KAWS's work. The print is both endearing and poignant, blending elements of contemporary pop culture with fine art aesthetics.
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.
Screen-print Screen printing is a technique where ink is transferred through a mesh onto a substrate, with areas blocked by a stencil to prevent ink from passing through. This method, also known as serigraphy or silkscreen printing, is commonly used to produce prints on posters, T-shirts, vinyl, stickers, wood, and other materials. The process is a type of stencil printing, allowing for vibrant, detailed designs on various surfaces.
Screen print on Stonehenge gray paper - Published by Serpentine
- Signed, dated and numbered to lower edge
Share by KAWS, created in 2021, is a screen-print on Stonehenge gray paper. This piece features one of KAWS’s iconic characters, Companion, rendered in his familiar cartoon-like style. The figure, characterized by its signature crossed-out eyes and oversized, rounded features, stands holding a smaller, pink plush toy. The monochromatic palette of grays contrasts with the pink toy, drawing attention to the interaction between the figures. The simplicity and playfulness of the composition, combined with the subtle emotional depth, evoke themes of connection, nostalgia, and childhood innocence, which are central motifs in KAWS's work. The print is both endearing and poignant, blending elements of contemporary pop culture with fine art aesthetics.
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.