The high and low of Brian Donnelly, the American artist known as KAWS, is on display in a major exhibition celebrating his 25-year career. Along with new pieces made specifically for the show, there are the monumental installations of his popular “companion figures”—the Mickey Mouse-like figurines most closely associated with the Brooklyn-based artist—as well as rarely seen work such as his graffiti drawings and notebooks (Donnelly started off as a graffiti artist). Like Andy Warhol before him, Donnelly challenges the viewer to think critically about popular culture and consumption. Also like Warhol, his work sells for millions. —J.V.
The Arts Intel Report
KAWS: What Party
When
Feb 5–6, 2021
Where
Etc
KAWS, “Companion (Resting Place),” 2013 © KAWS. Photo: Jonty Wilde.