Brian Donnelly has been working under the moniker KAWS for a quarter-century, and in that time he has managed to become one of the most influential figures in modern art. While he is best known for his collectible Vinyl Figures including his Companion, BFF, and Chum characters, his success comes from blurring the lines between fine art and commercial art for an extensive catalog of coveted collectibles. We have assembled a list of some of his best works past and present to help inspire your holiday gifting ideas.
KAWS FAMILY Figures Brown/Blue/White
In July, KAWS opened his Tokyo First Exhibition at the Mori Arts Center Gallery. The show was a retrospective of the artist’s career and displayed over 150 of his works. To help celebrate this momentous event, he released a Vinyl Figure set with the most characters to date. The KAWS Family Vinyl Figure Set totals five figures: two Companion figures, two Chum figures, and a BFF figure. The set is the perfect pairing to his exhibition, paying tribute to his three most used characters. This is one of the most unique pieces that KAWS has released to the general public and a must-have for any follower of his career. If the multi-colored version is a little too much for you, there’s an all-black version as well.
KAWS x Reese’s Puffs Limited Edition Cereal
As early as September, rumors began to circulate that KAWS would be collaborating with Reese’s Puffs on a limited edition version of the popular cereal. An orange edition of the box began appearing on grocery store shelves around this time, and KAWS teased a limited edition blue box that ended up dropping in mid-November as an online exclusive. The KAWS x Reese’s Puffs Limited Edition Blue Box shows a Companion swimming in a bowl of Reese’s Puffs on the front, and another covering its face as Reese’s Puffs rain down upon it on the back. There is also a QR code on the back that will take you into the AR world of KAWSPUFFS, where you have the chance to win signed boxes from KAWS. While we do not necessarily encourage eating collectible merch, you will not want to miss out on one of the most talked-about collaborations of 2021.
Be@rbrick KAWS TENSION 100% & 400% Set
KAWS has always worked closely with the Japanese collectible toymaker, Medicom Toy. But it had been 15 years since the two parties had teamed up on a Be@rbrick – until this past summer. In addition to the KAWS Family figures, the KAWS Tokyo First Exhibition would also see the release of the KAWS TENSION Be@rbrick 100% and 400% set as well as a 1000% edition. Initially, these Be@rbrick figures were sold via a lottery system to exhibition ticket holders only but then saw a wider release just months later in September. The artwork printed on the ursine figures comes from KAWS’ 2019 print set that was also titled Tension. With the long hiatus between KAWS’ latest Be@rbrick sets, there is no telling when we may see another.
KAWS Sesame Street Uniqlo Elmo Plush Toy
KAWS has subverted several iconic pop culture figures throughout his career. His most recognizable character, Companion, is a subversion of Mickey Mouse. He worked on an entire series that he called The Kimpsons, which used characters from the animated series as its primary inspiration. But no work has gained more popularity than his Sesame Street collection with Uniqlo. The capsule collection includes a variety of t-shirts, sweatshirts, and plushes featuring Elmo, Cookie Monster, Big Bird, plus Bert and Ernie with signature KAWS Xs over their eyes. The KAWS Sesame Street Uniqlo Elmo Plush has been the most popular collectible in the collection since its 2018 release.
KAWS Tokyo First Piranhas When You’re Sleeping Puzzle
While many of the items on this list are over the $100 mark, KAWS has also dropped several pieces throughout the years at lower price points including a wide variety of puzzles. One of his most recent puzzles, KAWS Tokyo First Piranhas When You’re Sleeping, makes the shape of a dolphin and features a piranha design near the head when completed. At 1000 pieces, this puzzle will make a great gift for any KAWS collector, or provide you with a nice challenge on a cold winter’s day.
KAWS: HOLIDAY SINGAPORE Figure Brown
The KAWS: Holiday project has now made seven stops since its inception in 2018 The installation in Singapore was located on The Float @ Marina Bay and composed of a 137-foot long KAWS Companion reclining on its back while clutching a smaller Companion closely to its chest. The opening of the installation was accompanied by a matching 10.5-inch Vinyl Figure set that was released in three colorways, brown, grey, and black. With these figures set to ship in the next week or two, prices are sure to become very favorable with rising supply.
KAWS Ceramic Teapot Black
While Vinyl Figures will always be the pieces that steal headlines for KAWS, he also has an assortment of diverse works that his most loyal collectors are always hunting. One such under-the-radar item this year was this KAWS Ceramic Teapot in black. Only produced in an edition of 1,000, The teapot includes some extraordinary detail with alternating X and KAWS Companion hand motifs over the entire surface, and the special edition box matches the teapot itself. This rare KAWS Ceramic Teapot is sure to warm the heart of the KAWS collector in your life this holiday season.
