Acclaimed designer and artist Brian Donnelly, who now goes by the name Kaws, is making a splash with his Canadian debut at the AGO with larger-than-life cartoon sculptures that have gained a cult following in Brooklyn.
KAWS started his artist journey as a freelance artist for Disney, working on background art and later furthered his craft by doing graffiti advertisements for brands. Ever since, Kaws has become one of the most sought-after artists by musicians like J-Hope from BTS, Kid Cudi, Travis Scott and many more.
Kaws exhibits are in major international cities such as Tokyo, Paris, and London. Toronto was also on his list.
The KAWS: FAMILY exhibit opened exclusively to AGO members on Sept. 27 and opened to the public on Wednesday.
The iconic KAWS GONE statue displays pastel grey, white and pink statues. Photo credit: Gabriel Noda
Astonishment and amazement filled the exhibit as onlookers entered. The KAWS: FAMILY characters greet visitors as soon as they walk in, with his iconic Micky Mouse-inspired character COMPANION with a baby COMPANION, CHUM, and an Elmo-inspired character named BFF.
Many Kaws fans and attendees took portraits in front of the sculptures.
The exhibit was full of audible excitement and intrigue. Maybe it was A MAN’S BEST FRIEND, a Peanuts-inspired wall piece showcasing the ever-famous dog Snoopy with the iconic KAWS X’s as their eyes that had people intrigued, or it was the many different shoes that KAWS has designed for Nike.
There was also the eye-catching, Sesame Street-inspired sofa called GANG SOFA, a collaboration between KAWS and Estúdio Campana.
Shakera Sawyers, an OCAD student, told Humber News she has been a longtime fan of KAWS’s work.
“I mean, I’ve known KAWS for a while — I was hoping to see if there was anything I haven’t seen, like more of his background,” Sawyers said.
She said her favourite piece at the exhibit is the Peanuts-inspired work.
A Peanuts-inspired piece with Snoopy and Woodstock called MAN'S BEST FRIEND by Brian Donnelly, who goes by the name KAWS. Photo credit: Gabriel Noda
“It’s my favourite so far, something about simple black and white that I love so much,” Sawyers said with a gracious smile.
Andre Kerry, another attendee at the exhibit, said he was not familiar with KAWS but knew of his work.
“I don’t follow him. I see his work around because of the t-shirts and figures,” Kerry said.
“It’s great, but I’m not thrilled for the end of it because it’s just a hallway. I wish it had been bigger,” he said.
Disappointment that the show was but a fraction of KAWS’s full artistry was a sentiment some seemed to share.
Nicole Leandra, also at the exhibit, said the show should be placed in a larger area.
“Honestly, the exhibit is nice. I just wish it was bigger so they can fit it in more of his work like maybe move it to the fifth floor,” Leandra said.
“I know his work is famous mostly through the collabs he’s done,” she said. “When you go all the way back and see his older work, it’s just been like crazy to see his evolution.”
Several people who came to see the exhibit have known Kaws from his experience as an artist and have followed him for several years. Most knew of his work through his many collaborations with brands such as Uniqlo, Nike, Christian Dior and iconic pop culture brands Peanuts and Sesame Street.
In a post on Instagram, KAWS thanked the AGO and everyone who visited.
“I really had the best time in your city,” Kaws posted.
The KAWS: Family exhibit will run from Sept. 27, 2023, to March 31, 2024.