What Party

KAWS (b. 1974) is one of the most prominent contemporary artists whose prolific body of work straddles the worlds of art and design through street art, product design, paintings, murals, graphics and monumental sculpture. This year, American graffiti artist KAWS revealed his newest character What Party - an isolated, despondent and still figure with heavy gloved hands that subtly alludes to the world’s current situation and the emotional and psychological complexities of our time. What Party is a full set of seven screenprints and is the latest example of how KAWS’ visual vocabulary of hybrid cartoon characters epitomizes his exploration of humanity. The figure is an iteration of KAWS’ confident and resolute tubby Chum (Michelin Man) figure that excitedly runs toward the future. Unlike Chum, What Party now stands in a resoundingly solemn tone, with his head hanging low and shoulders hunched over, appearing sad, overwhelmed, weary, lonely and shy - feelings and situations we can empathize with in our complex cultural and political environments. KAWS’ transformation of a capitalist symbol to be hunched over exemplifies the contemporary artist’s affection and compassion for our contemporary moment. What Party is so relevant that monumental sculptures of the figure have been appearing across the world - notably in front of the Seagram Building on New York City’s Park Avenue and the K11 Art & Culture Centre in Hong Kong.