Artwork Description
Dissected Companion Grey Silkscreen Print by Kaws- Brian Donnelly Hand-Pulled on Wove Fine Art Paper Limited Edition Screenprint Artwork.
2006 Signed & Numbered Limited Edition of 100 Artwork Size 20x20 Silkscreen Print Floated and framed under acrylic. Framed Dimensions 20.25 X 20.25 Inches
KAWS Brian Donnelly Dissected Companion Grey Silkscreen Print 2006
The 2006 Dissected Companion Grey silkscreen print by Brian Donnelly, professionally known as KAWS, stands as one of the most recognizable works in the evolution of Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork. Measuring 20 x 20 inches, this limited edition piece was hand-pulled on wove fine art paper in a signed and numbered edition of 100. The artwork depicts KAWS’ iconic Companion figure split symmetrically down the center—one half retaining its smooth, cartoon-like exterior, the other revealing an intricate anatomical cross-section that exposes muscles, organs, and bone structure. This interplay between exterior identity and inner anatomy has become one of KAWS’ most celebrated artistic motifs.
Visual Language and Graphic Precision
The Dissected Companion Grey uses a limited grayscale palette, emphasizing the sharp contrast between the simplified, pop-inspired figure on the left and the hyper-detailed anatomical rendering on the right. KAWS’ graphic precision in silkscreen printing ensures clean linework and flat, even color application, hallmarks of his approach to high-impact, collectible print editions. The anatomical side adds unexpected depth to the work, offering a literal and metaphorical look beneath the surface, while the monochrome treatment lends a sleek, museum-quality presence to the composition.
Rarity and Collectible Status
Produced in a strictly limited edition of only 100, this print was signed and numbered by the artist in pencil, ensuring authenticity and collectibility. The example shown is professionally floated and framed under acrylic, bringing the framed dimensions to 20.25 x 20.25 inches, which enhances presentation while preserving the integrity of the fine art paper. As an early 2000s release, it represents a formative stage in KAWS’ career, when his transition from street-based graffiti to global fine art recognition was rapidly gaining momentum. Pieces from this period are highly sought after due to their scarcity and the artist’s rising influence in contemporary art markets.
KAWS’ Cultural and Artistic Impact
Brian Donnelly, born in 1974 in Jersey City, New Jersey, began as a graffiti artist in the streets of New York before moving into painting, sculpture, and editioned prints. The Companion figure, introduced in the late 1990s, has since become a cornerstone of his practice, embodying themes of vulnerability, consumerism, and the human condition. By merging cartoon aesthetics with anatomical dissection, KAWS invites viewers to reconsider familiar pop culture forms through a lens of introspection and complexity. The Dissected Companion Grey is not only a striking visual work but also a pivotal moment in the development of KAWS’ ability to merge street sensibilities with fine art production, making it an enduring highlight in the history of Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork.
