Brian Donnelly, profesjonelt kjent som KAWS, ble født i 1974 i Jersey City, New Jersey, og er en mangesidig kunstner basert i New York. KAWS startet karrieren som graffitikunstner i Jersey City, og flyttet tidlig på 1990-tallet til New York for å ta en formell utdannelse innen kunst. KAWS har revolusjonert kunstverdenen de siste 20 årene og blitt en av de ledende samtidskunstnerne i verden. Kunstkritikere har konsekvent sammenlignet KAWS med de historiske mesterne Jean-Michel Basquiat og Keith Haring, hvis karrierer også startet på gaten. KAWS' gjennomtenkte samspill med bilder knyttet til forbrukerprodukter og globale merkevarer får også kunstkritikere til å sammenligne ham med Andy Warhol og Jeff Koons.
Brian Donnelly, profesjonelt kjent som KAWS, ble født i 1974 i Jersey City, New Jersey, og er en mangesidig kunstner basert i New York. KAWS startet karrieren som graffitikunstner i Jersey City, og flyttet til New York tidlig på 1990-tallet for å ta en formell utdannelse innen kunst. KAWS har revolusjonert kunstverdenen de siste 20 årene og blitt en av de ledende samtidskunstnerne i verden. Kunstkritikere har konsekvent sammenlignet KAWS med de historiske mesterne Jean-Michel Basquiat og Keith Haring, hvis karrierer også startet på gaten. KAWS' gjennomtenkte samspill med bilder knyttet til forbrukerprodukter og globale merkevarer får også kunstkritikere til å sammenligne ham med Andy Warhol og Jeff Koons.
KAWS
From Street Art to Global Contemporary Practice.
Brian Donnelly, professionally known as KAWS, is a multi-faceted artist born in 1974 in Jersey City, New Jersey, and based in New York. Beginning his career as a graffiti artist, KAWS quickly developed a visual language that merges street culture, consumer imagery, and contemporary art, establishing him as one of the most influential artists of his generation.
At Mankovsky Gallery, KAWS is presented as part of our focus on contemporary artists whose work bridges urban culture and high art. His practice transforms everyday symbols into artistic statements, blending humour, critique and accessibility in a way that resonates worldwide.
The Story Behind the Work
KAWS’ practice is defined by his thoughtful engagement with imagery from popular culture and consumer products. By reinterpreting familiar figures and icons, he creates works that are simultaneously playful, critical and visually striking. From graffiti walls in Jersey City to exhibitions in major international institutions, his art continues to explore the intersection between mass culture and personal expression.
Style and Vision
KAWS’ signature is characterised by:
- Bold, graphic forms rooted in street and pop culture
- Reinterpretation of commercial and media imagery into contemporary art
- A playful yet critical approach that engages a global audience
- Works that balance accessibility with conceptual depth
Through his art, KAWS transforms everyday icons into reflections on identity, consumption and cultural influence, making the familiar feel both new and thought-provoking.
Themes and Exploration
At the heart of KAWS’ work is the dialogue between consumer culture and human emotion. His pieces explore ideas of branding, repetition and memory, often imbuing commercial imagery with narrative, humour and psychological nuance. Critics frequently compare his work to iconic figures such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Andy Warhol and Jeff Koons, highlighting his ability to merge street roots with global contemporary relevance.
KAWS at Mankovsky Gallery
KAWS represents a contemporary vision where street art, pop culture and fine art converge. His work invites viewers to reconsider the familiar, question cultural norms, and engage with visual storytelling that is as intellectually rich as it is visually captivating.
Discover KAWS at Mankovsky Gallery where the streets meet the museum, and playful critique meets global artistry in works that continue to redefine contemporary art.