Cyrus Langhorne
New York rapper A$AP Ferg has come face to face with some KAWS masterpieces. The hip-hop star went online this week to share pics of himself at the popular brand's Melbourne NGV store.
Big Facts
This week, Ferg hit up Instagram to share some must-see content. In his slideshow, A$AP revealed dope KAWS figures and paintings.
“Big vibes in Melbourne. Hit the NGV museum a lil earlier for some inspo! Finna body this show tonight!”
On A Related Note
KAWS is most known for having signature toys and paintings. His pieces have been featured throughout the world.
Brian Donnelly is currently best known as the artist KAWS. KAWS is a New York-based artist who has made a name out of him designing limited edition toys and clothing. He is also a world-renowned artist who exhibits in museums and galleries internationally. His art stands somewhere between fine art and global commerce. KAWS moved beyond the sphere of the exclusive art market to occupy a more complex global market. (Street Art Bio)
Wait, There’s More
The KAWS brand has received global acclaim. In addition to exhibits, some of his inspirations have been featured in parades and awards shows.
One of the more popular KAWS sculpture is that of a gray scale figure based on the Mickey Mouse whose face is obscured by his both hands. This image was even incorporated into a balloon for the 2012 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. In 2013, KAWS’s company redesigned MTV’s moon man statue for their 2013 MTV Video Music Awards. KAWS museum exhibitions include solo shows at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, High Museum of Art, Modern Art Museum, and the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum. (Street Art Bio)
Before You Go
Over the past few years, KAWS has blown up globally. In addition to a massive fan base, the artwork has received praise from critics.
While critics, such as art advisor Josh Baer, have given scathing reviews of KAWS saying, “I’m sure he’s a super nice guy and a great businessman. But I don’t think that the history of art will go: Matisse, Pollock, Johns, Basquiat, KAWS;” Borowy-Reeder – who is curating the exhibition KAWS: Alone Again at MOCAD – compares the graffiti-artist-turned-fine-artist to Off-White designer Virgil Abloh, rather than other visual artists. Although their work is very different, the way they work is the same: through collaboration. Whether it is Abloh’s quotation-marked phrases or Donnelly’s ‘X’ eyes, the trademarks are easily integrated into new source material. (Sleek-Mag)
