Ups And Downs 10

Ups And Downs 10 is a signed screen print in colours on Saunders Waterford High White paper made by the critically acclaimed American artist and designer, KAWS. The print depicts a close-up of a cartoon character however the angle makes it difficult for the viewer to discern what they are looking at. Nevertheless, the unconventional close-up encourages the viewer to think creatively about what the rest of the composition might look like. This is a print that rewards imagination. Against a bold purple backdrop, the cartoon character is rendered in a variety of bright colours, reminiscent of cartoon television shows or comic books.

KAWS was fascinated by cartoons and animation. The artist studied Illustration at the School of Visual Arts in New York and obtained his Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1996. KAWS then went on to work as a freelance animator for Jumbo Pictures, where he worked on notable animation series, such as Daria, Doug and 101 Dalmatians. KAWS’ experience in illustration and animation clearly marks his artistic style.

The print is one of ten silkscreen prints that compose the Ups and Downs collection which KAWS made to mark the opening of his solo exhibition, Ups And Downs, at the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art in Kansas.