Kaws

American designer born in 1974. In 1995, while studying at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan, KAWS began combining his street art influenced by the world of graffiti with commercial design. In addition, the artist’s experience in working at an animation studio after graduation informed his appropriation of iconic characters such as Mickey Mouse and Astro Boy. In 1996, during his first visit to Japan, it was through the introduction of Stash that KAWS met a group of entrepreneurs and youth culture influencers, with whom he would form long-lasting friendships and launch collaborative projects. Among the group are Yoppi who headed the apparel label realmadHECTIC and [a9972] founder of the BAPE brand and store, and the music label Ape Sounds. In 2001, KAWS looked to the expertise of NIGO to set up his first solo exhibition in Tokyo, which subsequently sparked NIGO’s interest in KAWS paintings. Soon after the exhibition, NIGO was the first to commission a series of paintings from the artist: The Kimpsons series. It was through NIGO that he met with Pharrell Williams who commissioned him for a large amount of work over a period of time. For the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards KAWS's company redesigned the iconic moonman statue.