KAWS Conveys Exhaustion In Claustrophobic Spaces In Poignant Exhibition
Video screenshot via Skarstedt Gallery
With their X-ed out eyes and features reminiscent of Mickey Mouse and the Michelin Man, KAWS’ mascots are often noted for their playful, childlike nature. With that being said, those eyes give away the sense that these characters have lived through pain, and the street artist’s latest solo exhibition at New York’s Skarstedt Gallery explores these uncomfortable emotions.
The usually optimistic COMPANION and CHUM characters grapple to survive in claustrophobic landscapes in all-new paintings and sculptures for KAWS: SPOKE TOO SOON, an art show scheduled from November 5 through December 11. “These paintings offer new narrative possibilities for his beloved cast,” says the gallery.
A departure from the cheerful endings portrayed in cartoons, the characters appear to be in danger, gripping tightly to the edge of a cliff and being chin-deep in water. It’s unclear if they’ll save themselves or succumb to exhaustion, mirroring a mental battle felt by many during the lockdown.
In one artwork, a red CHUM is shown capturing a photo or video of a pink CHUM painting a portrait of it via its smartphone camera. The red character has its palm to its face, possibly nodding at the exasperation of the real-life artist.
Dual personalities in two bronze sculptures, TAKE and SHARE, take turns to express defenselessness. In the former, a protective figure holds onto a smaller COMPANION whose face shows fear of its viewer. The latter switches this role, illustrating the larger character in a state of vulnerability. A third sculpture, COMPANION 2020, is shown lying face flat on the ground, protecting itself from ugly realities.
[via HypeArt, images via various sources]
