Meet the KAWS Family: From Companion to the Kimpsons

Brian Donnelly, professionally known as KAWS, is an American artist who has impacted contemporary art and popular culture with his playful cast of characters—known as the KAWS Family—and widespread brand. Born in 1974 in Jersey City, New Jersey, he initially gained recognition as a graffiti artist before transitioning to fine art and commercial design. KAWS's early work showcased a distinctive reimagining of familiar characters from cartoons and advertisements, infused with emotive qualities that often focused on themes of loneliness and vulnerability.

Over the years, his artistic practice has evolved to encompass paintings, large-scale sculptures, and consumer products, demonstrating his ability to transcend traditional artistic boundaries. KAWS's work is defined by its visual language: motifs such as the "Companion" character, 'x' marked eyes, and gloved hands recur throughout his oeuvre, uniting various media into a coherent aesthetic vision.

KAWS has exhibited his work globally, from New York's Museum of Modern Art to the Yuz Museum in Shanghai. His latest exhibition opens at the Art Gallery of Ontario on September 27th and runs until March 2024—his first museum show in Canada. In addition, he has collaborated with an array of brands and artists, from Nike and Uniqlo to Pharrell Williams. These collaborations have made his art accessible to a broad audience. Despite commercial success, KAWS retains a thoughtful exploration of human emotion and social connectivity in his work, making him a central figure in the dialogue between art and the broader cultural landscape. He exemplifies how an artist can bridge the gap between art circles and mainstream consumer culture, expanding the reach and relevance of contemporary art.

Who is the KAWS Family?

The "KAWS Family" comprises a range of unique characters that have become emblematic of the artist's work. These figures are instantly recognizable, thanks to their distinct features and design elements. Here are some key characters:

• Companion: Arguably the most famous, Companion is a Mickey Mouse-esque figure with 'X' marks for eyes. Available in both a full-bodied and a dissected form, the Companion explores themes of isolation and companionship.
• Chum: A character derived from the Michelin Man, Chum is another iconic figure from KAWS' repertoire. With its cylindrical shape and similar 'X' marked eyes, Chum taps into the same emotional complexity as Companion.
  

  KAWS. CHUM, 2002. Acrylic on canvas, 172.7 × 172.7 cm. © KAWS.Photo: Farzad Owrang

• Accomplice: With elongated ears that resemble a rabbit's, Accomplice is a character that often appears with a Companion. This character adds a layer to the motif of companionship in KAWS' work.
• Kimpsons: KAWS' take on "The Simpsons" family is a subversive reimagination that speaks to his roots in graffiti and the appropriation of popular culture.
• BFF: With its plush appearance, the BFF character was initially released with a plush toy. Its softer form contrasted against the usually hard and dissected features of Companion and other characters.
• Small Lie: This character resembles a Pinocchio figure, again with the signature 'X' eyes. It delves into themes of deceit and innocence.
• Flayed: A variation on the Companion, the Flayed version reveals the inner anatomy of the character. This serves as a visual metaphor for vulnerability and inner emotion.
• Clean Slate: Featuring a Companion carrying more miniature figures, Clean Slate deals with the idea of rebirth and starting anew.
• Resting Place: This figure depicts a half-laid Companion, a symbol of rest or perhaps eternal sleep.
• Holiday: This series involves Companion in various laid-back poses, as if on a vacation, and has been displayed worldwide as large-scale inflatables.

Each character in the KAWS family serves as a vessel for more profound emotional and social commentary, adding layers of meaning that resonate both in the art world and mainstream culture.