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“Four Foot Companion (Black)” by KAWS, a contemporary artist known for his fusion of art and commercial, leading to collaborations with high-profile brands to create items like toys and clothing. KAWS’s Companions are among his most well-known works, dating back to the late 90s, when the Japanese toy company Bounty Hunter produced and sold a limited edition of 500 eight-inch figurines of the now iconic character. Much larger than those toys, this monumental Companion lives up to its name in size, and is painted a deep solid black, with its emblematic X-ed out eyes colored a stark yellow. Synthesizing various influences, from his time working at Disney (hence the character’s recognizable resemblance to Mickey Mouse), to his roots as a graffiti artist, the “Four Foot Companion” is a supreme example of KAWS’s interest in life’s greatest dualities: light and dark, work and play, life and death. The sculpture measures 50 ½ inches tall, 22 ½ inches wide, and 13 ¾ inches deep, and is incised ‘Medicom Toy 2007 Made in China C KAWS 07’ on the underside.
To see more of KAWS’ work at Taglialatella Galleries, visit: https://www.taglialatellagalleries.com/artists/kaws
KAWS (American, b.1974) is a notable limited-edition toy and clothing designer. He was born in Jersey City, NJ, as Brian Donnelly. With influences from traditional life painters, such as Gerhard Richter, Claes Oldenberg, and Chuck Close to graffiti artists in his community and around the world, KAWS has created a vast collection of ground-breaking work that include commercial products, larger-than-life sculptures, and hard-edge paintings. KAWS’s career began as a graffiti artist in New York, NY, in the early 1990s. His images were seen on billboards, bus stops, and in phone booths. He obtained his BFA from the School of Visual Arts in New York. Once KAWS began to gain popularity, his graffiti advertisements became highly sought after. He traveled extensively to work in Paris, London, Germany, and Japan. In 1998, he received the Pernod Liquid Art Award, which offers a grant to new artists. In late 1990s, KAWS began to design and produce limited-edition toys. These gained international popularity, especially in Japan. KAWS has collaborated with numerous companies including UNIQLO, Nike, BAPE, Jun Takahashi, and many more. His work has exhibited at major institutions like the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, the Newcomb Art Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles and has even had several solo exhibitions at institutions such as the Brooklyn Museum and the Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art. The artist currently lives and works in Brooklyn, NY.
