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Busy times for the artist best known as KAWS, who’s fresh from a recent HOLIDAY excursion and Supreme drop. Now, the Brooklyn-based creative is off to Tokyo, or at least his personal art collection is. Though KAWS has showed much love to Japan in the past, Mori Arts Center Gallery‘s forthcoming “KAWS Tokyo First” exhibition is the first large-scale showcase of his work in the nation, a momentous occasion that naturally calls for much celebratory merch.
Comprising over 150 works that span KAWS’ entire career, “KAWS Tokyo First” — which borrows its name from KAWS’ first Japan show back in 2001 — traces the artist’s latest output back to his earliest pieces, exploring the trails that KAWS blazed in the realm between fine and commercial art.
There’s even a meta angle that considers the “unique trajectory of art production,” MACG says. To further sweeten the pot, KAWS’ private art collection will also be on display so as to recreate his Brooklyn studio.
https://youtu.be/3EXNVEoaZFU
If a KAWS experience occurs in Japan without merch, does it really happen? Of course not, so the artist has rejoined several of his longtime pals to create a selection of commemorative merch that ties in with the affair. UNIQLO UT, Medicom Toy, and Fire King are all on hand to dish out exclusive KAWS goodies, including Companion tees, matching key holders, and mugs. KAWS even reworked a Peeps-shaped Hiyoko collectible, complete with X-ed out eyes.
Visit “KAWS Tokyo First” website to learn more about the upcoming exhibit, which will open its doors from July 16 — right before the ever-controversial Tokyo Olympics — and ends on October 11. No word on an international merch drop, but given the scale of UNIQLO and KAWS’ respective fanbases, don’t be surprised if a wider release occurs later this summer.