Pay the Debt to Nature (2010) by Kaws, via Galerie Perrotin

Currently on view at the Galerie Perrotin in Paris is New York- based artist Kaws‘ “Pay the Debt to Nature.” The exhibition reveals a collection of nine paintings, five grisailles, and three monumental sculptures in fiberglass of his fetish personalities, including “Companion,” a pirate skull on the body of Micky Mouse and “Accomplice,” replicating the head of a rabbit.

Blackout (2010) by Kaws, via Galerie Perrotin

More text and images after the jump…

Blackout (2010) by Kaws, via Galerie Perrotin

Kaws initially established himself as a graffiti artist in Jersey City, New Jersey and in New York City, leaving his mark in bus stops and telephone cabins between 1996 and 2000. During this time he developed his famous characters (or personalities) such as “Skully,” a pirate head with eyes in the shape of a cross, “Bendy” a sperm shaped body with a pirate head, and “Companion” which was influenced by his collaborations with Walt Disney, and subsequently produced as a toy by the Japanese company Bounty Hunter.

Pay the Debt to Nature by Kaws, installation view, via Galerie Perrotin

Kaws at Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin, via High Snobiety

Kaws later entered into collaborations with fashion brands  including Marc Jacobs, BAPE, Comme des Garcons, and Colette. In 2001 he produced his first series of 40 paintings in rigid plastic called the Kimpsons, inspired by the Simpsons. During this time he also produced Chum, inspired by the body of Michelin’s Bibendum.

Pay the Debt to Nature by Kaws, installation view, via Galerie Perrotin

Companion , by Kaws, via Galerie Perrotin

In 2002, Kaws founded his own company “Original Fake,” allowing him to produce artwork as well as figurines and specialty toys. Such a move appropriates artistic and commercial efforts made by his predecessors Claes Oldenburg, Keith Haring, Andy Warhol, and Takashi Murakami. “Pay The Debt to Nature” invites the viewer beyond a surface encounter with Kaws’ creations.

Pay the Debt to Nature by Kaws, installation view, via Galerie Perrotin

Related Links:

Exhibition Page [Galerie Perrotin]
Kaws Exhibition at Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin [High Snobiety]
Kaws: Pay the Debt to Nature: Exhibition Video [Slamxhype]

-R.A. Proctor

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 16th, 2010 at 1:00 am and is filed under Go See. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.