Name: Tension 6
Brand: KAWS
Rating: 5 (236 reviews)

Track auction value trend

The value of KAWS's Tension 6 (signed) is estimated to be worth between £2,600 and £3,900. This screenprint, created in 2019, has shown consistent value growth, with an average annual growth rate of 13%. This work has an auction history of two sales, both occurring in 2022. In the past five years, the hammer price has ranged from £5,325 in December 2022 to £6,316 in July 2022. The average return to the seller over this period was £4,947. This work is part of a limited edition of 100.

Meaning & Analysis

Tension 6 is a signed screen print on Saunders Waterford paper made by the ground-breaking American artist and designer, KAWS in 2019. The print shows an exciting composition of graffiti inspired shapes rendered in bold colours which capture the essence of KAWS’ distinct artistic style. A splash of red dominates the centre of the composition, obscuring a large turquoise cross which is a trademark feature of KAWS’ visual language.

The print can be seen alongside nine other prints which compose the Tension collection. In this collection, KAWS privileges a more abstract style, harking back to his street art origins. The collection differs from many of KAWS’ other collections, such as No Reply and Blame Game, which feature cartoon characters, a signature element of KAWS’ artistic practice.

KAWS’ artistic origins in graffiti and street art mean he is often compared to Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat, two leading 20th century artists who emerged from the New York City graffiti subculture of the 1980s. KAWS aligns himself with a tradition of artists who believe art is for the people rather than an art world elite and his use of vibrant colours and the screen printing technique exemplify this desire to make art for the masses.