For this issue, I decided to include a journal entry centered on art. I spent a day at SFMOMA walking through their latest exhibit, KAWS: FAMILY.
Going into it, my knowledge of KAWS was fairly limited. My first real introduction to his work was when they made his signature mascot the base for the MTV VMAs trophy. At the time, it felt like a playful take on the already familiar moonman, but not something that stood out on its own to me.
This exhibit serves as an ideal entry point into KAWS and his work over the years. Rather than focusing on KAWS’s current work, this exhibit examines the evolution and growth of his character family. SFMOMA describes this exhibit as an exploration of how KAWS’ work has connected to shared emotions and culture, a theme that is evident as you work your way through the gallery.
KAWS, GONE, 2020
As you walk into the exhibition, you are greeted by this sculpture. A life-size KAWS COMPANION carrying BFF in its arms, depicting a moment of loss or exhaustion. The visual is sharp yet whimsical, and the contrast between the two characters strengthens the emotional impact.
Seeing these characters in person was especially interesting. They feel familiar because of their intentional resemblance to popular cartoons. I enjoyed how they feel like an adult version of those cartoons, while still keeping a sense of whimsy.
KAWS, Adrift in the Abyss, 2022
This painting stood out to me for its simplicity and clarity. The color combinations are some of my favorites in the exhibition. At first glance, it gave a sense of calm, but the longer I looked, the more emotionally charged it became.
I appreciated the difference in emotion conveyed by the figure shown through the window in the door and by the figure as the door begins to open. For me, the piece evokes feelings of sorrow, doubt, and safeguarding. The characters appear isolated at sea, and this setting makes their emotions feel all-consuming, as if there is no end in sight. Both the sense of vulnerability and protection occur simultaneously, rendering a simple image more complex.
KAWS, HOPELESS HORIZON, 2022
KAWS, LOST FUTURE, 2023
This pairing was one of my favorite moments in the exhibition. KAWS takes a playful character and places them in what appears to be solitary confinement. These paintings are explicitly connected and inspired by the COVID lockdowns, which makes them even more moving. As a collective experience, seeing it reflected in a character typically portrayed in action makes it feel more realistic to what everyone felt and experienced during the pandemic.
KAWS, CHUM, 2024
Seeing CHUM as this running sculpture enhances the message behind the paintings HOPELESS HORIZON and LOST FUTURE. Each appearance of these characters only adds more layers to their personality.
KAWS, THE NEWS, 2017
At first glance, this piece might appear to be nothing more than paint splatters, but the longer you look, the more you begin to see. The familiar forms of the classic characters begin to reveal themselves. Notably, the color palette plays a crucial part in making this visual trick possible.
The exhibit concludes with a section featuring artwork inspired by well-known cartoon characters, from Snoopy and Woodstock to many characters from The Simpsons. This last section of the exhibit shows a clear beginning to what may have inspired KAWS’ artwork. As someone who loves these cartoons, I enjoyed seeing these beloved characters become more abstract and complex.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Walking out of this exhibit, I was really blown away by the emotions present in both the sculptures and paintings. There is an overwhelming joy and nostalgia from seeing sculptures that resemble cartoons I love. But depending on what the characters are doing, these same sculptures shift from joy and nostalgia to reflect other emotions, such as sadness. A great example of this is the sculptures of CHUM or COMPANION covering their faces. The best part of the whole exhibit is the sense that it was created through a childlike lens. The exhibit will be at the SFMOMA until May 3rd, and I would highly recommend a visit.
