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Published on : Saturday, September 21, 2019
Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley was at the NGV yesterday to preview its latest exhibition, KAWS: Companionship in the Age of Loneliness – the first Australian solo show by artist Brian Donnelly, otherwise known as KAWS.
The US artist began his career in street art before taking the international art and design world by storm. Emerging from the early 1990s New York street scene, KAWS has garnered a global following with his bright and humorous work that explores hope, humanity and vulnerability.
The exhibition will explore KAWS’ 25-year career, including works in advertising, paintings that reinterpret pop-culture characters and his celebrated characters in the form of figurines and large-scale sculptures.
It also includes a 22-foot sculpture, titled GONE. Commissioned by the NGV and displayed in Federation Court, it is the largest bronze work KAWS has created.
The main exhibition will be presented alongside KAWS: PLAYTIME, a free children’s exhibition that brings KAWS’ famed “BFF” character to life through interactive experiences that encourage play and imagination.
The exhibition focuses on themes of generosity, support for others and compassion. It is expected to be another major drawcard for the NGV, with thousands of local, interstate and international visitors of all ages expected through the gallery’s doors.
KAWS: Companionship in the Age of Loneliness will be on display from 20 September 2019 to 13 April 2020 at NGV International, St Kilda Road.