KAWS Bronze Edition
To mark the 20th anniversary of AllRightReserved, Kaws (in collaboration with ARR) has produced a limited edition of 250 bronze sculptures (plus 50 AP). This is one of the few non-vinyl editions. Each of the 250 pieces features 12 different figurines. They take up a theme developed over more than 10 years with ARR, from Passing Through in 2010 to Holiday. The 12 figurines are Passing Through, Clean Slate, BFF, Seing, Watching, Alone Time, Still Moment, Here Today, Good Morning, Space, All This Time, Shelter. They are authenticated by blockchain thanks to a chip included in the packaging. They are smaller than the usual vinyl figurines or art toys, measuring between 15 and 20 cm. They are also considerably more expensive, selling for $3,000 each at the time of their release. They are, however, numbered and signed, something the artist rarely does on Art Toys. They now sell for between €3 and €4,000 each. To date, they are only available in black, but will probably also be produced in gray and brown.
New York street artist Kaws emerged from the graffiti scene in the 1990s. A young artist influenced by pop art galleries, he began his career as a graffiti artist, penciling advertising posters for major brands on the streets of New York. Since the 2000s, he has produced some 50 small sculptures, featuring his most significant large-scale works of art (often shown in temporary exhibitions), and of course his most popular characters (Companion, Chum, BFF, Accomplice etc.). Particularly popular with collectors and contemporary art enthusiasts, these figurines have the advantage of being a reasonably priced way to start a collection and enter the artist's world. They are generally published in limited editions of 500 copies (according to the artist), and they are edited in collaboration with a manufacturer who often also handles marketing and sales worldwide. Mostly made of vinyl, these works of art resist ageing very well, but you should avoid exposing them to direct sunlight for long periods. It might cause a slight discoloration of the sculpture. Each version of the figurine, or art toy, has its own specially designed packaging, comprising a polystyrene receptacle with protective film, and a cardboard box with embossing. This is one of the most important authentication features of these sculptures. The figures of the Kaws Bronze Edition were released in December 2022. Despite of their high price, they have become very popular.