Urge 1
Urge 1
Signed Print
KAWS
£2,200-£3,300
$4,450-$6,500 Value Indicator
$4,050-$6,000 Value Indicator
¥20,000-¥30,000 Value Indicator
€2,500-€3,750 Value Indicator
$22,000-$35,000 Value Indicator
¥450,000-¥680,000 Value Indicator
$2,900-$4,300 Value Indicator
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43 x 32cm, Edition of 250, Screenprint
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Meaning & Analysis
Urge 1 is a signed screen print in colours produced by the critically acclaimed American artist and designer, KAWS in 2020. The print depicts Companion, one of KAWS’ iconic cartoon characters. KAWS renders Companion in the centre of the composition in a bright green, making him the focal point of the work and instantly attracting the viewer’s attention. Companion is surrounded by gloved hands which obscure the cartoon character’s face and body from full view. Companion seems powerless and unable to defend himself.
This print is one of ten bold and vibrant screen prints that compose the Urge collection. All the prints in this collection depict Companion in a bright colour, surrounded by gloved hands with crosses on them which match the character’s crossed out eyes. Crossed out eyes are a trademark feature of KAWS’ visual language and crosses have become a repeated visual motif that runs throughout KAWS’ oeuvre.
Companion was created by KAWS in 1999, and the cartoon has now become an international icon, recognised worldwide and closely associated with KAWS’ name. Initially drawn in 2D and spray painted onto bus shelters and phone booths in New York, KAWS’ rise to fame led to the Japanese toy company, Bounty Hunter, commissioning KAWS to produce and sell a vinyl Companion toy. In addition to this, KAWS has produced impressive sculptures of Companion for exhibitions in Switzerland, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Málaga, London and China.