Appropriation of popular mainstream iconography into the art realm has had its history. Using pop culture as a reference resonates with viewers by triggering familiar thoughts and memories. The newest edition to this phenomena is the exhibit “MAN’S BEST FRIEND” by artist KAWS. By referencing imagery by Charles M. Schultz (hello Charlie Brown!), KAWS takes a classic pop-culture icon and turns it into a seriously cool, crazy colorful abstract representation of imagery that’s been burned into our cultural memory.
KAWS was born in Jersey City in 1974 and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the School of Visual Arts in New York City where he currently lives. This is his third solo exhibition and is currently being featured at Honor Fraser in Los Angeles ongoing now until October 31st, head on over for a musing.