Artwork Description
Companion Flayed- Brown Limited Edition Vinyl Art Toy Collectible Artwork by Modern Pop Artist Kaws.
2016 Unopened Package Limited Open Edition 10.5 X 4.5 X 2.5 / 16.7 X 11.4 X 6.4 CM
Unveiling the Companion Flayed Brown by KAWS
The Companion Flayed Brown Limited Edition Vinyl Art Toy Collectible is a distinctive artifact in the oeuvre of KAWS, an artist whose influence permeates the worlds of modern pop art, street pop art, and graffiti artwork. Released in a highly anticipated series in 2016, this piece showcases the flayed version of KAWS' Companion character. This icon has been reinterpreted across many mediums over the years. Encased in its original, unopened packaging, the figure is presented in a limited open edition, measuring 10.5 x 4.5 x 2.5 inches. The Companion series is, arguably, the most recognizable aspect of KAWS' work, embodying the cross-pollination of street culture and fine art. The flayed versions, such as this brown edition, offer a visceral look at the internal complexity of the character, juxtaposing vulnerability with the toy's stoic posture. Standing at 11 inches tall, the figures were released in conjunction with KAWS' "Where The End Starts" exhibition in Fort Worth, Texas, through various esteemed outlets, including KAWSONE, MoMA, and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.
The Companion Flayed Brown in the Context of Street Pop Art
The Companion Flayed Brown emerges as a sought-after collectible and a significant commentary within street pop art and graffiti artwork. It continues KAWS' exploration of his characters' emotional and narrative depths, a theme consistent throughout his body of work. The figure's brown hue resonates with the earthiness and authenticity often associated with street art, grounding the otherwise ethereal character in the reality of the physical world. Like its counterparts, this edition offers a tangible connection between the artist's beginnings in graffiti and his ascension into the global art market. The release of such a piece through prominent cultural institutions underscores the recognition and acceptance of street-inspired art within formal art circles. The Companion Flayed Brown thus serves as both a milestone for KAWS and a symbol of the evolving perceptions of street pop art in contemporary culture.
KAWS and the Evolution of Art Toys
KAWS' Companion Flayed Brown symbolizes the evolution of the art toy movement, blurring the lines between plaything and high art. The careful crafting of this collectible, from its conceptual underpinnings to its meticulous production, highlights the artist's commitment to challenging the boundaries of traditional art forms. The flayed aesthetic invites viewers to confront identity's constructed nature and the layers comprising our public personas. The 2016 series of Companions, including the Brown Flayed edition, marks a pivotal moment in the history of art toys, propelling them into the realm of legitimate artistic collectibles. KAWS' approach to the Companion series reflects a nuanced understanding of the art toy as a medium capable of conveying complex themes akin to those found in street pop art and graffiti artwork. Through works like the Companion Flayed Brown, KAWS cements his status as an innovator who continuously redefines the interplay between commercial and fine art.
