A huge KAWS exhibition has opened in Australia, creating a retrospective of his 25-year career with more than 100 works. KAWS: Companionship in the Age of Loneliness at NGV is his first Australian show. It'll run from September until April 2020.
The exhibition includes a brand new commission, a 23-foot tall bronze Companion called GONE. It sits solemnly in a Pietà pose, meant to invoke a sense of sorrow and empathy. It's his largest bronze statue to date.
Accompanying the exhibition is a pop-up design store, which is sure to be sold out by the time you finish this sentence, as well as a free exhibition for children titled KAWS: Playtime. The immersive experience explores the theme of friendship with his BFF character. It features cozy nooks for children to enjoy, as well as a creative kit that includes a pop-up surprise and alphabet stickers designed by KAWS. Kids will will also be able to create their own BFF in an interactive media hub.
"Making time for play is incredibly important to childhood development and that is exactly what PLAYTIME offers," KAWS said in a press release. "This is a tactile exhibition that encourages children to express themselves through creations they can make in response to the exhibition."
