Kaws is an American artist and designer. His work includes repeated use of a cast of figurative characters and motifs, some dating 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 various materials including fiberglass, aluminum, wood, bronze, and a steel pontoon inflatable raft. Kaws’ influences come from traditional high-art painters like Gerhard Richter, Claes Oldenburg, and Chuck Close. His work has cross-market appeal and the ability to blur lines between commercial and fine art. Kaws lives and works in Brooklyn, New York, creating sculptures, acrylic paintings on canvas, and screen prints while also collaborating commercially, predominantly on limited edition toys, but also clothing, skateboard decks, and other products. KAWS is represented by Skarstedt Gallery, New York.