KAWS offering limited-edition prints for COVID-19 relief efforts

The initiative launched earlier this April with an edition of 25 prints of a silhouette of the “Peanuts” comic strip character Snoopy, plus five artist’s proofs that are not up for purchase.

The prints are being offered for $1,200 a piece, with all proceeds going to the nonprofit Free Arts NYC that provides mentorship programs to underserved youth.

“Many of the vulnerable children they serve are staying in crowded shelters with little access to resources needed to stay inspired and resilient. Please consider supporting the organization, via a donation on their website or by purchasing a print, to raise money for supplies, activity kits, and virtual mentoring for their youth,” KAWS, whose real name is Brian Donnelly, wrote on Instagram.

 

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I’m happy to announce that over the next few days I will be releasing a few small editions of shaped prints to support different charities. This print pictured will support @freeartsnyc programming. Many of the vulnerable children they serve are staying in crowded shelters with little access to resources needed to stay inspired and resilient. Please consider supporting the organization, via a donation on their website or by purchasing a print, to raise money for supplies, activity kits, and virtual mentoring for their youth.
 Each signed and numbered print, from an edition of 25 plus 5 artist proofs, is approximately 10.5 inches tall x 8 inches wide and available for $1200 (shipping included). All profits will be donated to Free Arts NYC. To request purchase, email PRINTS@KAWS.COM with FREEARTSNYC in the subject line and include your full name, shipping address, and phone number. 25 people will be selected to purchase the print and will be contacted with payment instructions. If you are interested in being placed in line to buy a print from the soon-to-be announced editions for other charities, please mention that in your email. All prints will be packed and shipped once stay-at-home orders are lifted in NYC. THANK YOU! #KAWS

A post shared by @ kaws on Apr 10, 2020 at 9:58am PDT

Collectors cannot directly purchase the Snoopy prints, as they have to email prints@kaws.com with “FREEARTSNYC” in the subject line for a chance to acquire one of KAWS’ charity editions.

“If you are interested in being placed in line to buy a print from the soon-to-be-announced editions for other charities, please mention that in your e-mail,” KAWS mentioned on his Instagram post.

 

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Today I’m offering this print edition to benefit the Jersey City COVID-19 RELIEF FUND organized by the JCEDC This Fund provides resources and support to the City’s most vulnerable residents: it will help minimize hardships for needy families and seniors by improving access to food and other necessities. The Fund will also invest in the local economy by helping small businesses and nonprofits — the backbone of neighborhoods in Jersey City— get back on their feet. Each print is signed and numbered, from an edition of 25 plus 5 artist proofs, approximately 10.25 inches tall x 9.75 inches wide and available for $1200 (shipping included). All profits from the sale of these prints will be donated to http://jcedc.org. The winners for the first two editions have already been contacted and the winners of the third will be contacted shortly. Anyone who emailed about the first three editions will be automatically considered for this fourth edition. If you haven’t emailed prints@kaws.com yet, feel free to send your full name, address and phone number to be considered. But please DO NOT send another email if you already entered a submission for any of the first three prints. http://jcedc.org THANK YOU!!! KAWS

A post shared by @ kaws on Apr 15, 2020 at 8:31am PDT

Aside from his charity prints, KAWS has recently collaborated with the digital platform Acute Art for augmented-reality versions of his signature “Companion” figures in 11 cities across the globe.

The monumental “Companion” sculptures were visible through Acute Art’s free app, where users could acquire timed, subscription-based editions of the digital figures for $7 per week or $30 for a month.

“When I realized the quality that could be achieved and experienced in AR, I was immediately drawn to its potential. I have been creating objects and exhibiting works in public spaces throughout my career, and this allows me to expand on that in a whole new arena. The possibilities of locations and scale are endless, and I’m excited to start a new dialogue in this medium,” KAWS said at the time in a statement.

 

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ACUTE ART app is available for download now! http://bit.ly/39Ihg5u Experience my AR project anywhere in the world in your own home or view some of the large ones that we placed… @acuteart_ @KAWS #KAWSxAcute #KAWS #EXPANDEDHOLIDAY

A post shared by @ kaws on Mar 12, 2020 at 4:55am PDT

KAWS had also planned to offer 25 augmented-reality “Companion” sculptures for permanent acquisition for $10,000 each, though the release was postponed at a later date in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

These “Companion” digital editions are relatively affordable for collectors trying to break into the KAWS market, as “The KAWS Album” set a new auction record of $14.7 million for the New Jersey-born artist in April 2019 at Sotheby’s Hong Kong.