Introduction
THE NEWS is a series of nine circular screen prints (tondos), published by Pace Prints. The series is a vibrant exploration of pop culture and media saturation, rendered through KAWS’s signature visual language. By the time of this release in 2017, KAWS (born Brian Donnelly) was a globally recognized artist with a massive following. He had successfully merged street art origins with the fine art world, gaining critical and commercial success.
THE NEWS was produced at a point in his career where KAWS had already cultivated a refined and distinctive aesthetic, often compared to Pop Art masters like Andy Warhol. The series is similar in its themes and close-up perspective to KAWS’s earlier BLAME GAME series from 2014, which also features sections of cartoon characters’ faces.
Each print features highly abstracted, close-up compositions based on cartoon characters, including those inspired by SpongeBob SquarePants. The distinct circular prints are filled with a medley of colorful, layered shapes and lines that partially obscure recognizable cartoon features. KAWS’s signature “XX” and cross-out eye motifs are scattered throughout the works, adding a sinister yet playful element. In contrast to some of his other series, such as the black-and-white Man’s Best Friend, THE NEWS is noted for its particularly vibrant and intense color palette.
The chaotic and layered compositions are interpreted as a commentary on contemporary consumer culture and the overwhelming saturation of media in modern life. The series continues KAWS’s career-long project of blurring the lines between mass-produced pop culture icons and fine art. By abstracting and subverting familiar cartoon imagery, he elevates it to a new, fine-art context. The close-up angles and obscured facial features challenge the viewer to identify the original characters and to imagine what lies outside the frame, questioning the nature of recognition and branding.
THE NEWS, 2017
THE NEWS
The complete set of 9 screenprints in colors
Medium: Screenprint in colors on Saunders Waterford High White paper
Year: 2017
Diameter: 24 inches (61 cm)
Edition: 100
Artist’s Proofs: 20 AP
Publisher: Pace Prints, New-York
Each signed, dated, and numbered in pencil
THE NEWS – PLATE #1
THE NEWS – PLATE #2
THE NEWS – PLATE #3
THE NEWS – PLATE #4
THE NEWS – PLATE #5
THE NEWS – PLATE #6
THE NEWS – PLATE #7
THE NEWS – PLATE #8
THE NEWS – PLATE #9
SINGLE PLATES
Heritage Auctions: 1 October 2025
USD 5,500
KAWS (b. 1974)
The News, 2017
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Ed. 23/100
Signed, dated, and numbered in pencil along lower edge
Published by Pace Prints, New York
Heritage Auctions: 1 October 2025
USD 5,500
KAWS (b. 1974)
The News, 2017
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Ed. 23/100
Signed, dated, and numbered in pencil along lower edge
Published by Pace Prints, New York
Heritage Auctions: 13 September 2023
USD 6,000
KAWS
Untitled, from The News, 2017
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed, dated, and numbered 54/100 in pencil along lower edge
Heritage Auctions: 2 August 2023
USD 3,875
KAWS
Untitled, from The News, 2017
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed, dated, and numbered 54/100 in pencil along lower edge
Heritage Auctions: 25 July 2023
USD 5,000
KAWS
Untitled, from The News, 2017
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed, dated, and numbered 27/100 in pencil along lower edge
Heritage Auctions: 25 July 2023
USD 6,000
KAWS
Untitled, from The News, 2017
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed, dated, and numbered 27/100 in pencil along lower edge
COMPLETE SETS
Phillips London: 15 September 2022
Estimated: GBP 50,000 – 70,000
GBP 81,900 / USD 94,220
KAWS
THE NEWS, 2017
The complete set of nine screen-prints in colors
With title page and original red linen-covered portfolio box with printed title
All signed, dated and numbered ‘PP 1/5’ in colored pencil
A printer’s proof set, the edition was 100 and 20 artist’s proofs
Christie’s New-York: 22 July 2021
Estimated: USD 50,000 – 70,000
USD 87,500
KAWS (B.1974)
THE NEWS, 2017
The complete set of nine screen-prints, on wove paper
Each signed, dated and numbered ’55/100 KAWS..17′ in colored pencil
This set is number 55 from the edition of 100 (there were also twenty artist’s proof sets)