Busacca Gallery

This 7 1/2-inch grey figurine by artist KAWS, also known as Brian Donnelly, is unsigned. KAWS is a New York-based artist and designer, and one of the most popular living artists today. He is known for his paintings, prints, sculptures, and limited-edition toys. KAWS’s extensive list of projects includes solo exhibitions at renowned institutions such as The Mori Arts Center Gallery, The Brooklyn Museum, The National Gallery of Victoria, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Longside Gallery, Centro de Arte Contemporáneo, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, and the Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art. This is an unlimited commercial marketing promotional figurine toy. The artist KAWS: From Humble Street Artist to Global Sensation. KAWS, once a humble street artist, has become a global sensation. This particular sculpture is from an unknown plastic edition design art toy. KAWS’s Companion figures, now legendary and universally recognized, were first introduced in 1999 as a limited edition. The small works sold out almost instantaneously, and their success paved the way for an entire lineage of characters and Companion variations. Released in a series of six versions over several years, these sought-after figures implicitly question the distinction between a toy and a work of sculpture. Artists like KAWS have blurred the lines between toys, collectibles, and art. His work reflects the growing popularity of these pieces in today’s art market, where pop art has become a gateway for those testing the collectibility of such items. The distinction between toys, collectibles, and art is increasingly blurred in today's commercial market. KAWS’s subversive cartoon characters, which began as toys, have evolved into valuable sculptures and paintings that fetch eight-figure sums at auction. Known for making art toys inspired by mass culture and the Pop world, KAWS has also made his mark in the fashion industry through his brand, Original Fake, and collaborations with numerous brands such as Dior, Uniqlo, Supreme, and Vans. Brian Donnelly, the American artist behind KAWS, has become a giant in both commercial and conceptual art. His journey from painting freight trains in Jersey to becoming one of the most prolific artists of his generation is remarkable. KAWS’s roots in street art and graffiti are evident, and his early graffiti photos reveal his fascination with manipulating popular culture. Say what you will about his commercial success, KAWS is undeniably talented with a spray can, and he has a sharp sense of humor, often poking fun at being labeled a commercial artist. Is commercial art merely selling out, or is it art for the people? Perhaps it can be both, and maybe that’s okay. In the late 1990s, KAWS worked as an animator, painting cells for shows like Daria. He was able to inject himself into popular culture and explore experiments with icons. Not since Warhol has an artist made the commodification of art so apparent. KAWS does so with his tongue firmly in cheek, presenting some of his artwork literally plastic-wrapped in packaging reminiscent of figurines or comic book collectibles. The street artist’s ability to draw a crowd eager to spend money on a plastic toy or limited edition shoe solidifies his relevance in the modern context. What is the difference between a modern artist collaborating with a multinational company like Nike and one of the classic masters? If the topic at hand is the commercialization of street art, isn't it the galleries that charge hefty fees to see the work and then guide eager crowds through turnstiles to purchase collector edition memorabilia, mugs, or figurines as they exit through the gift shop? If you want to see how drastically an artist can evolve their work to climb the social ladder and find a golden path to success, I recommend purchasing a work of art by KAWS.

KAWS, born Brian Donnelly in 1974 in Jersey City, began his career as a graffiti artist in New York City during the 1990s, gaining recognition for altering advertisements with his own characters. His iconic "Companion" figure, characterized by crossed-out eyes, has become a symbol of his work, which often critiques consumer culture. Transitioning from street art to the gallery world, KAWS achieved international success with exhibitions and collaborations with brands like Nike and Dior. Blending fine art and popular culture, KAWS remains a significant figure in contemporary art, known for his large-scale sculptures, paintings, and commercial collaborations.