With the Dissected Companion, KAWS performs one of the most decisive conceptual shifts in his practice: he turns his most recognizable character inside out. Released in 2006, this figure does not simply reinterpret the Companion—it exposes it. What had previously functioned as a graphic icon rooted in pop culture becomes, here, a subject of inquiry, almost anatomical, oscillating between cartoon familiarity and scientific dissection.
This edition marks the moment where KAWS moves from appropriation toward introspection, using his own visual language as material to be deconstructed.
Introduction
The figure retains the canonical Companion stance, upright, slightly slouched, hands relaxed, yet is vertically split into two radically different registers. One half preserves the smooth, anonymous surface of the character, complete with the signature X-eyes and gloved hands. The other reveals a meticulously sculpted interior: brain, musculature, lungs, and digestive system emerge with surprising precision. This duality creates a visual tension. The left side belongs to the world of cartoons and mass culture; the right side evokes medical models and classical écorché sculptures. The result is neither grotesque nor purely didactic—it is strangely balanced, almost serene, as if the figure accepts its own exposure.
Colorways reinforce this reading. The black, brown, and grey editions maintain a certain restraint, while the internal anatomy, especially in more vivid versions, introduces a sharp chromatic contrast that draws the eye inward, toward structure rather than surface.
Produced in collaboration with Medicom Toy, the Dissected Companion was released in an edition of 500 per colorway. The work reflects a clear evolution in fabrication: larger scale, more complex molding, and a heightened attention to sculptural detail compared to earlier figures. The level of articulation in the exposed half, veins, textures, layered organs, demonstrates a technical ambition that pushes beyond the logic of collectible toys into something closer to contemporary sculpture.
Its release coincided with the opening of the OriginalFake boutique in Tokyo’s Aoyama district, a space that functioned both as a retail environment and as an exhibition platform. A monumental dissected Companion installed there reinforced the conceptual framework of the edition, bridging object and environment.
The Dissected Companion can be read as a meditation on identity and construction. By revealing what lies beneath the surface of his most iconic figure, KAWS effectively dismantles the illusion of simplicity that defines much of his earlier work.
There is also a subtle art-historical dialogue at play. The piece echoes Renaissance anatomical studies and academic écorché figures, yet it translates that tradition into the language of contemporary design and street culture. It is, in essence, a collision between Leonardo and late capitalism—handled with disarming casualness.
More importantly, this gesture marks a turning point: KAWS begins to treat his characters not merely as images to be reproduced, but as structures to be explored, fragmented, and reassembled.
Though produced in relatively accessible numbers, the 2006 Dissected Companion quickly achieved cult status. Its importance lies less in rarity than in position: it is one of the first works to articulate the “dissected” vocabulary that would become central to KAWS’s practice across sculptures, paintings, and later large-scale installations.
Today, it is widely regarded as a foundational piece—quietly revolutionary. It announced that KAWS was no longer just remixing culture; he was beginning to analyze it, quite literally, from the inside out.
The Bronze Editions: Material as Meaning
The bronze iterations of the Dissected Companion refine and deepen the conceptual ambition introduced in the vinyl release. Produced in two distinct editions—one finished in a silver-painted surface and another in a darker, raw bronze patina, each in an edition of 10—these works operate on an entirely different register.
In the silver-painted version, the figure acquires an almost industrial clarity. The metallic coating unifies the surface while still allowing the anatomical details to remain legible. Light plays across the sculpture with a certain sharpness, accentuating the tension between the smooth exterior and the intricate internal structure. The result feels analytical, almost clinical—closer to a model, a demonstration, a statement about construction itself.
By contrast, the darker bronze edition introduces weight, depth, and historical resonance. The patina softens transitions between the outer shell and the exposed anatomy, allowing the figure to read less as a split object and more as a continuous sculptural form. Here, the work aligns more explicitly with the tradition of cast bronze sculpture—from Renaissance studies of the body to modern figurative abstraction—while retaining the unmistakable silhouette of the Companion.
What is particularly striking is how the absence of color transforms perception. In the vinyl versions, color directs attention; in bronze, form governs. The viewer is no longer guided by contrast but by volume, texture, and light. The anatomy is not revealed through difference, but through subtle shifts in surface and relief.
These editions ultimately elevate the Dissected Companion into a dialogue with art history. If the vinyl belongs to the world of circulation and immediacy, the bronze belongs to permanence and legacy. Together, they articulate one of the central tensions in KAWS’s practice: the constant negotiation between the language of the multiple and the authority of the unique, between design object and enduring sculpture.
DISSECTED COMPANIONS, 2006
DISSECTED COMPANIONS (Brown/Black/Grey)
The complete set of three works
Medium: Painted cast vinyl
Year: 2006
Dimensions: 37x17x10 cm (14-3/4 x 6-1/2 x 4 inches)
Edition: 500, unnumbered
Release Price: USD 500
Co-published by Medicom Toy, Japan and OriginalFake, Tokyo
Impressed signature, date and manufacturer’s mark to underside
‘© KAWS..06’ and ‘Medicom Toy 2006 China’
Auction Results
Sotheby’s London: 6 October 2021
Estimated: GBP 3,000 – 5,000
GBP 9,450 / USD 12,725
KAWS (b. 1974)
Dissected Companion (Brown; Grey; and Black) (Three Works), 2006
Three painted vinyl multiples
The artist’s name, date and fabricator printed on the underside
From the edition of 500
Fabricated by Medicom Toy, Japan
Each contained in the original packaging
Christie’s New-York: 19 August 2020
Estimated: USD 5,000 – 7,000
USD 20,000
AUCTION RECORD FOR A COMPLETE SET OF DISSECTED COMPANIONS
KAWS (B.1974)
DISSECTED COMPANION (BROWN/BLACK/GREY), 2006
Three vinyl multiples, with the original plastic packaging, boxes and holograms
Each stamped ‘KAWS..06..Medicom Toy 2006 China’ (on the underside)
These works are each from the edition of 500
Co-published by Medicom Toy, Japan and OriginalFake, Tokyo
DISSECTED COMPANION (Brown), 2006
DISSECTED COMPANION (Brown)
Medium: Painted cast vinyl
Year: 2006
Dimensions: 37x17x10 cm (14-3/4 x 6-1/2 x 4 inches)
Edition: 500, unnumbered
Release Price: USD 500
Co-published by Medicom Toy, Japan and OriginalFake, Tokyo
Impressed signature, date and manufacturer’s mark to underside
‘© KAWS..06’ and ‘Medicom Toy 2006 China’
Auction Results
Heritage Auctions: 7 February 2024
USD 1,250
KAWS (b. 1974)
Companion, Five Years Later (Dissected Brown), 2006
Painted cast vinyl
Edition of 500
Stamped on underside of feet
Published by Medicom Toy, Tokyo
Heritage Auctions: 7 November 2018
Estimated: USD 1,000 – 1,500
USD 10,000
AUCTION RECORD FOR DISSECTED COMPANION (BROWN)
KAWS (b. 1974)
Dissected Companion, 2006
Painted cast vinyl
Stamped to the underside of the feet ‘© KAWS..06’ and ‘Medicom Toy / 2006 / China’
Produced by Medicom Toy and OriginalFake, Tokyo
Comes in cream colored molded plastic, in red box with silver foil lettering
DISSECTED COMPANION (Grey), 2006
DISSECTED COMPANION (Grey)
Medium: Painted cast vinyl
Year: 2006
Dimensions: 37x17x10 cm (14-3/4 x 6-1/2 x 4 inches)
Edition: 500, unnumbered
Release Price: USD 500
Co-published by Medicom Toy, Japan and OriginalFake, Tokyo
Impressed signature, date and manufacturer’s mark to underside
‘© KAWS..06’ and ‘Medicom Toy 2006 China’
Auction Results
Heritage Auctions: 7 November 2018
Estimated: USD 1,000 – 1,500
USD 8,750
AUCTION RECORD FOR DISSECTED COMPANION (GREY)
KAWS (b. 1974)
Dissected Companion (Grey), 2006
Painted cast vinyl
Stamped to the underside of the feet ‘© KAWS..06’ and ‘Medicom Toy / 2006 / China’
Produced by Medicom Toy and OriginalFake, Tokyo
Comes in cream colored molded plastic, in red box with silver foil lettering
DISSECTED COMPANION (Black), 2006
DISSECTED COMPANION (Black)
Medium: Painted cast vinyl
Year: 2006
Dimensions: 37x17x10 cm (14-3/4 x 6-1/2 x 4 inches)
Edition: 500, unnumbered
Release Price: USD 500
Co-published by Medicom Toy, Japan and OriginalFake, Tokyo
Impressed signature, date and manufacturer’s mark to underside
‘© KAWS..06’ and ‘Medicom Toy 2006 China’
Auction Results
Nadeau’s Auction Gallery: 21 November 2024
Estimated: USD 300 – 500
USD 1,200
Brian Donnelly “KAWS” (American B.1974)
Dissected Companion, 2006
Black and multi coloured painted cast vinyl figure, open edition
Signed and dated on base
Heritage Auctions: 7 November 2018
Estimated: USD 1,000 – 1,500
USD 8,750
AUCTION RECORD FOR DISSECTED COMPANION (BLACK)
KAWS (b. 1974)
Dissected Companion (Black), 2006
Painted cast vinyl
Stamped to the underside of the feet ‘© KAWS..06’ and ‘Medicom Toy / 2006 / China’
Produced by Medicom Toy and OriginalFake, Tokyo
Comes in cream colored molded plastic, in red box with silver foil lettering
ORIGINALFAKE COMPANION (Bronze)
(ORIGINALFAKE) COMPANION
Medium: Painted bronze
Year: 2006
Dimensions: 15 x 6 1/2 x 4 inches (38.5 x 17 x 10 cm)
Edition: 10
Artist’s Proofs: 2 AP
Signed and dated ‘KAWS..06’ on the underside of the figure’s left foot
Numbered on the underside of the figure’s right foot and on the original wooden case
(ORIGINALFAKE) COMPANION
Medium: Bronze
Year: 2006
Dimensions: 15 x 6 1/2 x 4 inches (38.5 x 17 x 10 cm)
Edition: 10
Artist’s Proofs: 2 AP
Signed and dated ‘KAWS..06’ on the underside of the figure’s left foot
Numbered on the underside of the figure’s right foot and on the original wooden case
Auction Results
KAWS (ORIGINALFAKE) COMPANION, 2006
Phillips Hong-Kong: 29 November 2021
Estimated: HKD 800,000 – 1,200,000
HKD 2,520,000 / USD 323,090
KAWS – 20th Century & Contemporary… Lot 258 November 2021 | Phillips
KAWS
KAWS (ORIGINALFAKE) COMPANION, 2006
Painted bronze
Signed and dated ‘KAWS..06′ on the underside of the figure’s left foot
Numbered ’10/10′ on the underside of the figure’s right foot
Numbered ’10/10’ on the original wooden case
This work is number 10 from an edition of 10 plus 2 artist’s proofs and is accompanied by its original wooden case
(OriginalFake) Companion, 2006
Sotheby’s Hong-Kong: 21 June 2021
Estimated: HKD 700,000 – 1,200,000
HKD 1,890,000 / USD 243,360
KAWS (b. 1974)
(OriginalFake) Companion, 2006
Bronze
Incised KAWS and dated 06 to the underside of the right foot
Incised 10/10 to the underside of the left foot
Box signed, dated 06 and numbered 10/10
This work is number 10 from an edition of 10
(ORIGINALFAKE) COMPANION, 2006
Sotheby’s Hong-Kong: 7 October 2020
Estimated: HKD 700,000 – 1,200,000
HKD 2,646,000 / USD 341,415
AUCTION RECORD FOR (ORIGINALFAKE) COMPANION
Kaws | (originalfake) Companion (originalfake)同伴 | Contemporary Art
KAWS (b. 1974)
(ORIGINALFAKE) COMPANION, 2006
Painted bronze
Signed, dated 06 and numbered 1/10; numbered 1/10 on the original wooden case
This work is number 1 from an edition of 10 plus 2 APs
(ORIGINALFAKE) COMPANION, 2006
Phillips New-York: 13 November 2019
Estimated: USD 100,000 – 150,000
USD 325,000
KAWS 20th C. & Contemporary Art Day Sale, Afternoon Session
KAWS
(ORIGINALFAKE) COMPANION, 2006
Painted bronze
15-1/4 x 6-1/2 x 5-1/8 inches (38.7 x 16.5 x 13 cm)
Signed and dated “KAWS..06” on the underside of the figure’s left foot
Numbered “9/10” on the underside of the figure’s right foot
Further numbered “9/10” on the original wooden case
This work is number 9 from an edition of 10 plus 2 artist’s proofs
Accompanied by its original wooden case
(OriginalFake) Companion, 2006
Sotheby’s Hong-Kong: 1 April 2019
Estimated: HKD 500,000 – 700,000
HKD 2,125,000 / USD 270,715
(#634) KAWS | (OriginalFake) Companion
KAWS
(OriginalFake) Companion, 2006
Bronze
38.2 x 16 x 13.2 cm (15 x 6-1/4 x 5-1/8 inches)
Signed, dated 06 and numbered 1/10 to the underside
Numbered 1/10 on the cover
Signed, dated 06 and numbered 1/10 on the reverse of the cover
This work is number 1 from edition of 10 + 2AP
Accompanied by its original wooden case
ORIGINALFAKE COMPANION (Monumental)
(ORIGINALFAKE) COMPANION
Medium: Fiberglass and paint
Year: 2011
Dimensions: 96x48x36 inches (243.8 x 121.9 x 91.4 cm)
Edition: 3
Artist’s Proofs: 2 AP
Auction Results
Sotheby’s New-York: 14 November 2018
Estimated: USD 800,000 – 1,200,000
USD 975,000
(#54) KAWS | COMPANION (ORIGINALFAKE)
KAWS
COMPANION (ORIGINALFAKE), 2011
Fiberglass and paint
This work is number two from an edition of three, plus two artist proofs