KAWS Retrospective Exhibition 'FAMILY' Opens at San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is presenting 'KAWS: FAMILY,' a major retrospective showcasing the career of artist Brian Donnelly, known professionally as KAWS. The exhibition, which opened in November 2025 and runs through May 3, 2026, features approximately 100 works spanning three decades. Before arriving at SFMOMA, the show traveled internationally to venues in Hong Kong, Doha, and Melbourne, attracting over 20 million visitors. KAWS began as a graffiti artist in Jersey City and Manhattan during the 1990s before studying illustration at the School of Visual Arts. His practice includes painting, sculpture, and commercial collaborations, characterized by recurring characters like COMPANION, CHUM, and BFF. The exhibition is organized thematically on the museum's fourth floor, with groupings of related pieces creating what curators describe as 'encounters.' The title references a 2021 bronze sculpture depicting three of his signature figures. KAWS's visual language draws inspiration from American animation and pop culture icons such as Mickey Mouse, The Simpsons, and Sesame Street, blending playful aesthetics with explorations of human emotion. SFMOMA director Christopher Bedford notes the artist's broad appeal and the dynamic fusion of street art sensibilities with formal training. The exhibition highlights KAWS's commitment to accessibility, with his work appearing on everyday objects like shoes and cereal boxes alongside traditional fine art mediums.