The Brooklyn Museum Highlights Standout Works From KAWS' "WHAT PARTY" Exhibit

Spanning everything from the artist’s graffiti origins to his fine art.

KAWS "WHAT PARTY" Brooklyn Museum Exhibition inside look artwoork kimpsons kawsbob chum companion figure sculpture artwork painting graffiti early work
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KAWS (American, born 1974). 'WHAT PARTY,' 2020. Bronze, paint, 90× 435/16 × 353/8 in. (228.6 × 110 × 89.9cm). © KAWS. (Photo: Michael Biondo)
KAWS "WHAT PARTY" Brooklyn Museum Exhibition inside look artwoork kimpsons kawsbob chum companion figure sculpture artwork painting graffiti early work
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KAWS (American, born 1974). UNTITLED (Blackbook), 1991–92. Ink and stickers on paper, 8 3/4 × 5 3/4 in. (22.2 × 14.6 cm). © KAWS. (Photo: Brad Bridgers Photography)
KAWS "WHAT PARTY" Brooklyn Museum Exhibition inside look artwoork kimpsons kawsbob chum companion figure sculpture artwork painting graffiti early work
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KAWS (American, born 1974). Interior spread from UNTITLED (Blackbook), circa 1993. Photograph, ink on paper, 12 1/2 × 8 in. (31.8 × 20.3 cm). © KAWS. (Photo: Brad Bridgers Photography)
KAWS "WHAT PARTY" Brooklyn Museum Exhibition inside look artwoork kimpsons kawsbob chum companion figure sculpture artwork painting graffiti early work
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KAWS (American, born 1974). UNTITLED (KAWS), 1991–96. Ink on paper, 8 1/2 × 11 in. (21.6 × 27.9 cm). © KAWS. (Photo: Farzad Owrang)
KAWS "WHAT PARTY" Brooklyn Museum Exhibition inside look artwoork kimpsons kawsbob chum companion figure sculpture artwork painting graffiti early work
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KAWS (American, born 1974). UNTITLED (KAWS), 1994. Pencil and ink on paper, 8 1/4 × 12 in. (20.9 × 30.5 cm). © KAWS. (Photo: Farzad Owrang)
KAWS "WHAT PARTY" Brooklyn Museum Exhibition inside look artwoork kimpsons kawsbob chum companion figure sculpture artwork painting graffiti early work
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KAWS (American, born 1974). UNTITLED (DKNY), 1997. Acrylic on existing advertising poster, 49 7/8 × 25 7/8 in. (126.7 × 65.7 cm). © KAWS. (Photo: Farzad Owrang)
KAWS "WHAT PARTY" Brooklyn Museum Exhibition inside look artwoork kimpsons kawsbob chum companion figure sculpture artwork painting graffiti early work
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KAWS (American, born 1974). UNTITLED (HARING), 1997. Acrylic on existing advertising poster, 68 × 48 in. (172.7 × 121.9 cm). © KAWS. (Photo: Farzad Owrang)
KAWS "WHAT PARTY" Brooklyn Museum Exhibition inside look artwoork kimpsons kawsbob chum companion figure sculpture artwork painting graffiti early work
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KAWS (American, born 1974). M2, 2000. Acrylic on canvas, 68 × 48 in. (172.7 × 121.9 cm). © KAWS. (Photo: Farzad Owrang)
KAWS "WHAT PARTY" Brooklyn Museum Exhibition inside look artwoork kimpsons kawsbob chum companion figure sculpture artwork painting graffiti early work
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KAWS (American, born 1974). UNTITLED (KIMPSONS), PACKAGE PAINTING SERIES, 2000–02. Acrylic on canvas in blister package with printed card, 19 × 23 1/2 in. (48.3 × 59.7 cm). © KAWS. (Photo: Brad Bridgers Photography)
KAWS "WHAT PARTY" Brooklyn Museum Exhibition inside look artwoork kimpsons kawsbob chum companion figure sculpture artwork painting graffiti early work
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KAWS (American, born 1974). KAWSBOB 3, 2007. Acrylic on canvas, 72 × 96 in. (182.9 × 243.8 cm). Courtesy of the artist and Pharrell Williams. © KAWS
KAWS "WHAT PARTY" Brooklyn Museum Exhibition inside look artwoork kimpsons kawsbob chum companion figure sculpture artwork painting graffiti early work
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KAWS (American, born 1974). COMPANION, 2010. Fiberglass, paint, 96 × 48 × 36 in. (243.8 × 121.9 ×91.4 cm). © KAWS
KAWS "WHAT PARTY" Brooklyn Museum Exhibition inside look artwoork kimpsons kawsbob chum companion figure sculpture artwork painting graffiti early work
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KAWS (American, born 1974). NEW MORNING, 2012. Acrylic on canvas over panel, 2 parts, each: 72 × 45 in. (182.9 × 114.3 cm). © KAWS
KAWS "WHAT PARTY" Brooklyn Museum Exhibition inside look artwoork kimpsons kawsbob chum companion figure sculpture artwork painting graffiti early work
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KAWS (American, born 1974). AT THIS TIME, 2013. Wood, 103 15/16 × 44 1/16 × 39 3/8 in. (264 × 112 × 100 cm). © KAWS. (Photo: Todora Photography, LLC)
KAWS "WHAT PARTY" Brooklyn Museum Exhibition inside look artwoork kimpsons kawsbob chum companion figure sculpture artwork painting graffiti early work
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KAWS (American, born 1974). BORN TO BEND, 2013. Aluminum, paint, 120 × 75 × 42 in. (304.8 × 190.5 × 106.7 cm). © KAWS
KAWS "WHAT PARTY" Brooklyn Museum Exhibition inside look artwoork kimpsons kawsbob chum companion figure sculpture artwork painting graffiti early work
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KAWS (American, born 1974). COMPANION (RESTING PLACE), 2013. Aluminum, paint, 60 1/2 × 63 × 80 in. (153.7 × 160 × 203.2 cm). © KAWS. (Photo: Jonty Wilde)
KAWS "WHAT PARTY" Brooklyn Museum Exhibition inside look artwoork kimpsons kawsbob chum companion figure sculpture artwork painting graffiti early work
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KAWS (American, born 1974). FAR FAR DOWN, 2016. Acrylic on canvas, 72 × 120 in. (182.9 × 304.8 cm). © KAWS. (Photo: Farzad Owrang)
KAWS "WHAT PARTY" Brooklyn Museum Exhibition inside look artwoork kimpsons kawsbob chum companion figure sculpture artwork painting graffiti early work
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KAWS (American, born 1974). TAKE, 2019. Bronze, paint, 76 × 35 3/4 × 27 7/8 in. (193 × 90.8 × 70.8 cm). © KAWS
KAWS "WHAT PARTY" Brooklyn Museum Exhibition inside look artwoork kimpsons kawsbob chum companion figure sculpture artwork painting graffiti early work
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KAWS (American, born 1974). UNTITLED (KIMPSONS), 2004. Acrylic on canvas, 80 × 80 in. (203.2 × 203.2 cm). Courtesy of Larry Warsh. © KAWS
KAWS "WHAT PARTY" Brooklyn Museum Exhibition inside look artwoork kimpsons kawsbob chum companion figure sculpture artwork painting graffiti early work
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KAWS (American, born 1974). UNTITLED (KIMPSONS #2), 2004. Acrylic on canvas, 80 × 80 in. (203.2 × 203.2 cm). Courtesy of Larry Warsh. © KAWS
KAWS "WHAT PARTY" Brooklyn Museum Exhibition inside look artwoork kimpsons kawsbob chum companion figure sculpture artwork painting graffiti early work
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KAWS (American, born 1974). TIDE, 2020. Acrylic on canvas, 98 × 104 in. (248.9 × 264.2 cm). © KAWS. (Photo: Farzad Owrang)

KAWS‘ next major exhibition, “WHAT PARTY,” has been foretold for months, but now it’s nearly upon us. Before the Brooklyn Museum opens its doors to (safely) allow in visitors, take an early look at some of the works on display at the career-spanning showcase.

Along with the eponymous CHUM sculpture, there are plenty of other figures and works to peruse, including some of KAWS’ classic advertisement works (like 1997’s UNTITLED (DKNY) and UNTITLED (HARING)) and even early paper sketches showcasing his graffiti flair. More modern pieces feature the Brooklyn-based artist’s signature cartoon character flips, like his SpongeBob riff, KAWSBOB 3, and several KIMPSONS pieces. “WHAT PARTY” even offers a closer look at some of KAWS’ latest efforts, including 2020’s TIDE painting.

The Brooklyn Museum will debut KAWS’ “WHAT PARTY” exhibit on February 26, the same day it launches an accompanying Phaidon monograph.

Meanwhile, KAWS recently curated an exhibition called “Light,” which included new work from Sam Friedman.

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