Internationally recognised art and literary critic, writer and cultural producer. Published in ELLE, Glamour, Esquire and Cosmopolitan; member of the Union of Writers.
KAWS is one of the most popular and influential artists of the 21st century. He is known for his distinctive characters and motifs, such as the Companion, the Chum, and the XX, that he applies to various media, such as paintings, sculptures, prints, and clothing. He is also known for his collaborations with global brands and celebrities, such as Nike, Dior, Uniqlo, and Kanye West.
But before he became a world-renowned artist, KAWS was a former Disney illustrator, who started his career by making vinyl toys. In 1999, he created his first toy, an eight-inch figure of the Companion, a Mickey Mouse-like character with skull and crossbones for eyes and head. He produced the toy in collaboration with the Japanese brand Bounty Hunter, and he sold it in limited editions of 500 pieces. The toy was an instant hit, and it marked the beginning of KAWS’s journey from the underground to the mainstream.
In this article, we will explore how KAWS turned his toys into art, and how he used them to express his vision and message. We will also look at some of the examples and influences of his toys, and how they have become highly sought-after collectibles.
The Origins and Evolution of KAWS’s Toys
KAWS’s toys were inspired by his love of cartoons and comics, which he developed as a child growing up in New Jersey. He was fascinated by the characters and stories of Disney, Hanna-Barbera, Warner Bros, and Marvel, and he dreamed of becoming an animator. He studied illustration at the School of Visual Arts in New York, and he landed a job at Disney, where he worked on animated films such as 101 Dalmatians, Dumbo, and Fantasia.
However, KAWS soon became disillusioned with the corporate and commercial aspects of his work, and he decided to pursue his own artistic path. He began to make graffiti and street art, using the tag KAWS, which he derived from the way he liked to write the letters K, A, W, and S. He also began to alter and subvert the images of popular cartoons, such as Mickey Mouse, Snoopy, and The Simpsons, by adding his signature skull and crossbones, or by changing their colours and shapes. He called these works “ad disruptions”, and he applied them to billboards, bus shelters, and phone booths, in cities such as New York, Paris, and Tokyo.
KAWS’s ad disruptions caught the attention of the Japanese streetwear and toy scene, which was booming in the late 1990s. He was invited by the brand Bounty Hunter to create his first vinyl toy, the Companion, which was a three-dimensional version of his ad disruptions. The toy was a success, and it opened the door for KAWS to create more toys, with different characters, sizes, and editions. He also collaborated with other brands, such as Medicom, OriginalFake, and Undercover, to produce and distribute his toys.
KAWS’s toys were not only toys, but also artworks, that reflected his style and philosophy. He said, “I always saw the toys as an extension of my work, a way to communicate and interact with a larger audience.” He also said, “I like the idea of making something that can sit on a shelf and have a dialogue with someone.” He used his toys to convey his emotions, opinions, and critiques, on topics such as consumerism, pop culture, and identity. He also used his toys to connect and communicate with his fans and collectors, who appreciated his toys for their aesthetic, conceptual, and cultural value.
The Examples and Influences of KAWS’s Toys
KAWS’s toys have become iconic and influential, not only in the art world, but also in the fashion, music, and entertainment industries. He has created toys based on his own original characters, such as the Companion, the Chum, the Bendy, and the Blitz, as well as his interpretations of famous cartoons, such as Tweety, Pinocchio, Astro Boy, and SpongeBob SquarePants. He has also created toys based on celebrities, such as Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, and KAWS himself.
Some of the examples and influences of KAWS’s toys are:
The Companion: The Companion is KAWS’s most famous and recognisable character, and his alter ego. It is a Mickey Mouse-like figure, with skull and crossbones for eyes and head, and XX for hands and feet. It is often depicted in different poses and expressions, such as sitting, lying, or covering its face. The Companion represents KAWS’s feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and vulnerability, as well as his sense of humour and irony. The Companion has been made in various sizes, colours, and materials, such as vinyl, wood, metal, and bronze. It has also been exhibited in public spaces, such as the Brooklyn Museum, the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, and the Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong.
The Chum: The Chum is another character created by KAWS, based on the Michelin Man, the mascot of the tyre company. It is a chubby and cheerful figure, with XX for eyes and mouth, and a striped shirt. The Chum represents KAWS’s interest in advertising and branding, and his playful and whimsical attitude. The Chum has been made in various colours and editions, such as red, yellow, and pink. It has also been featured in paintings, prints, and sculptures, such as the 16-foot-tall Along the Way (2013), which was installed at the entrance of the Brooklyn Museum in 2015.
The BFF: The BFF is a recent character created by KAWS, based on the Sesame Street character Elmo. It is a furry and friendly figure, with XX for eyes and nose, and a long tail. The BFF represents KAWS’s nostalgia and affection for his childhood memories, and his collaboration and friendship with other artists and brands. The BFF has been made in various colours and formats, such as plush, vinyl, and dioramas. It has also been featured in fashion collections, such as the KAWS x Dior capsule collection in 2019, which included a BFF-shaped handbag and a BFF-printed suit.
Conclusion
KAWS is one of the most popular and influential artists of the 21st century, who started his career by making vinyl toys. He used his toys to express his vision and message, and to connect and communicate with his audience. He also used his toys to experiment and innovate with the forms and meanings of art, and to challenge and transform the conventions and boundaries of art. He turned his toys into art, and his art into toys.
