Artist Profile
KAWS
Brian Donnelly
Born 1974, Jersey City, New Jersey
KAWS (Brian Donnelly) is a New York-based artist whose work straddles the worlds of art and design to include paintings, sculptures, and toys. His iconic characters with X-ed out eyes have become a globally recognized symbol, appearing in galleries, museums, and public spaces worldwide. From his early days as a graffiti artist in Jersey City to exhibitions at major institutions, KAWS has redefined contemporary art for a new generation.
Artist Details
Based in: Brooklyn, New York
Artistic Style: Contemporary art, Street art, Pop art, Toy design
Notable Works
- •COMPANION series (1999-present)
- •The KAWS Album (2005)
- •GONE (2019) - Hong Kong harbor installation
- •HOLIDAY series (2018-2019) - Global touring installations
Major Exhibitions
- •Brooklyn Museum, New York (2021)
- •National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne (2019)
- •Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth (2016)
- •Yorkshire Sculpture Park, UK (2016)
Collaborations
- •Dior - BFF plush toy and apparel collection
- •Uniqlo - Multiple t-shirt and apparel collections
- •Nike - Air Jordan 4 sneaker collaboration
- •MTV - Moonman trophy redesign
Achievements & Recognition
- •Works in permanent collections at MoMA, Brooklyn Museum, and High Museum of Art
- •Record-breaking auction sales exceeding $14 million for individual works
- •Founded AllRightsReserved creative studio