Touted as this generation's Andy Warhol, visual artist Kaws came to Hong Kong last week to kick off his Kaws: Passing Through exhibition at Harbour City.Born Brian Donnelly in New Jersey, USA, Kaws started his art career after graduating from New York's School of Arts as a background illustrator for an animation company owned by Disney. But his rise to fame really began with his graffiti work in the 90s. Gradually, his reworked billboards, bus shelters and phone booth adverts became highly sought after by art collectors.
Kaws' fame skyrocketed in the late 90s when he started creating limited-edition vinyl toys. Since then it's been onward and upward. Kaws has worked with Nike and fashion houses such as Marc Jacobs and Comme des Garcons, and even started his own label, OriginalFake. The Hong Kong exhibition features sculptures of reworked cartoon icons such as Mickey Mouse, the Michelin Man, Jiminy Cricket and Pinocchio. In the Ocean Terminal forecourt, there is a five-metre-tall sculpture of Kaws' most well-known character, Companion.
The Exhibition is open from 11am to 9pm at the Gallery by the Harbour (shop 207, Level 2, Ocean Centre), while the giant Companion sculpture can be seen 24/7. Today is the last day for guided tours at 3pm, 3.30pm, 4pm and 4.30pm. To take part, head to the Information Counter, Level 2, Ocean Terminal.
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