Brian Donnelly, known professionally as KAWS, is an American artist and designer. His work includes the repeated use of a set of figurative characters and motifs, some of which date back to the beginning of his career in the 1990s, initially painted in 2D and later realized in 3D. Some of his characters are his own creations while others are reworked versions of existing icons.
Kaws' sculptures range in size from a few inches to ten meters tall and are made from a variety of materials including fiberglass, aluminum, wood, bronze, and a steel pontoon inflatable raft.
Kaws' influences come from traditional high art painters such as Gerhard Richter, Claes Oldenburg and Chuck Close. He has been compared to artists such as Andy Warhol for his market appeal and his ability to blur the lines between commerce and fine art. His work is exhibited in galleries and museums, is in the permanent collections of public institutions and is collected by individuals, and a number of books illustrating his work have been published.
Kaws lives and works in Brooklyn, New York, where he creates sculptures, acrylic paintings on canvas, and screenprints, while collaborating on commercial projects, primarily limited edition toys, but also clothing, skateboard boards, and other products. KAWS is represented by Skarstedt Gallery, New York.
