This catalogue documents the first
exhibition in the Middle East by KAWS (Brian Donnelly, born 1974, USA).
The solo show explores his career and vast oeuvre and features paintings
and sculptures made over the past 20 years.
KAWS' imagery has
long possessed a sophisticated, dark humour, revealing the interplay
between art and consumerism, referencing both art history and pop
culture. Donnelly began his career in street art in the 1990s, becoming
synonymous with the name KAWS, a tag that became a staple in his
'sub-vertisments' (modifications of commercial works).
In addition
to more than 40 major pieces exhibited in the Garage Gallery, examples
of commercial collaborations designed by KAWS, among them sneakers,
skateboards, and toys are on view in a separate archive above Cafe 999. A
massive 5-meter-tall sculpture, COMPANION (PASSING THROUGH) (2013), in the Fire Station courtyard and an inflatable 40-metre public artwork at the Dhow Harbour, HOLIDAY (2019), also serve to highlight the exhibition.
