A retrospective of acclaimed US street artist KAWS opened in New York on Friday. The exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum marks the first major retrospective in his 25-year career.
"KAWS: What Party", traces the artistic journey of Brian Donnelly, the ex-graffiti artist turned painter and sculptor.
"The work of KAWS addresses universal emotions such as loneliness, melancholy, and companionship," said Joan Robledo-Palop.
The artist gave very little away about his thought processes during his career. KAWS's characters manage to be light-hearted. They resonate with all of us in life in general.
Despite initial criticisms in the art world that his work was superficial, KAWS quickly found his audience, including among celebrities, before conquering the wider public.
KAWS gained traction in Asia first, particularly Japan, before rising to prominence in the west where music producer Pharrell Williams and rapper Jay-Z acquired his work. He connects with pop art and the idea that art can be a business enterprise. He has perfected the Warholian project and brought it to new heights in the 21st century.
