Good Intentions

Medium: Walnut, in 2 parts
Year: 2021
Figure 1: 40x18x15 cm (15-3/4 x 7 x 6 inches)
Figure 2: 20x12x9 cm (7-7/8 x 4-3/4 x 3 1/2 inches
Edition: 100
Artist’s Proofs: 20 AP
Manufacturer: Medicom Toy, Japan
Publisher: Karimoku, Japan

Signed and numbered to underside of left foot of larger figure
Engraved manufacturer’s mark to underside of right foot ‘Medicom Toy 2021 Japan カリモク’.

 

Good Intentions (Walnut) (2021) represents a refined and conceptually mature development within the sculptural practice of KAWS. Produced in a limited edition of 100, this work revisits one of the most emotionally resonant motifs in KAWS’s oeuvre, the relationship between adult and child, while introducing a material shift toward natural wood that deepens its symbolic and tactile presence. Through this edition, KAWS moves away from the industrial finishes of earlier works and engages with a medium historically associated with craftsmanship, permanence, and tradition, positioning the sculpture at the intersection of contemporary art, design, and collectible object.

The work consists of two figures rendered in richly grained walnut wood: a larger Companion and a smaller, child-like figure standing beside it. Both figures share KAWS’s defining visual elements, including the skull-like head, crossed-out eyes, rounded ears, and simplified anatomical forms. The composition is intimate and direct. The proximity between the two figures suggests a relationship of guidance, protection, or transmission, reinforced by their mirrored posture and shared visual language.

The use of walnut is central to the work. The smooth, polished surface reveals the natural grain of the wood, introducing variation and depth within the otherwise minimal forms. Unlike painted or industrial materials, the wood retains a sense of organic life, subtly animating the figures. The edition is presented in a custom wooden crate, further emphasizing the material continuity and reinforcing the object’s status as both artwork and carefully produced edition.

Good Intentions belongs to a broader group of works in which KAWS explores themes of connection, generational continuity, and emotional exchange. Variations of this composition appear across different materials and scales, but the walnut version stands apart for its emphasis on material authenticity and craftsmanship. The pairing of figures recalls earlier works such as Along the Way and Passing Through, yet here the interaction is quieter, more contained, and less dramatic. The absence of overt gesture allows the relationship itself to become the focus.

At its core, Good Intentions reflects on the dynamics between generations, particularly the transmission of values, behaviors, and emotional frameworks. The title introduces a subtle ambiguity: intentions may be positive, yet their outcomes are not always predictable. The smaller figure can be read as a child, a reflection, or even a projection of the larger figure. This ambiguity reinforces the idea that identity is not fixed but formed through interaction and influence. The use of wood strengthens these themes. As a natural material, it evokes growth, time, and continuity, aligning with the work’s focus on development and inheritance. The grain of the wood, unique to each piece, introduces an element of individuality within the standardized edition.

Good Intentions (Walnut) occupies a significant position within KAWS’s evolution, marking a shift toward greater material sensitivity and conceptual restraint. Where earlier works often emphasized bold color and industrial production, this piece adopts a quieter, more contemplative tone. The reduction of visual complexity allows the emotional and relational aspects of the work to come forward with greater clarity. At the same time, the sculpture maintains KAWS’s characteristic balance between accessibility and depth, remaining immediately recognizable while supporting layered interpretation.

With an edition of only 100, Good Intentions (Walnut) is among the more limited and desirable releases within KAWS’s sculptural output. Its appeal is reinforced by its material distinction, as wooden editions are less common and often perceived as more elevated within the hierarchy of his works. Collectors are particularly drawn to the combination of craftsmanship, conceptual clarity, and emotional resonance. The presentation in a custom wooden crate further enhances its desirability, aligning it with high-end collectible design objects.

Good Intentions (Walnut) exemplifies a mature phase in KAWS’s practice, in which formal reduction and material choice become central to meaning. By shifting from synthetic to natural materials, KAWS introduces a new dimension to his work, one that engages with time, growth, and continuity. The sculpture moves beyond the language of pop and appropriation, entering a more universal and reflective territory. Through its quiet composition and refined execution, Good Intentions captures a fundamental human condition—the complexity of relationships and the ambiguity of intention—positioning itself as one of the more introspective and enduring works within KAWS’s sculptural oeuvre.

 

 

 

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Auction Results

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Phillips London: 8 March 2024
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 20,000
GBP 29,210 / USD 36,895

SBI Art Auction: 27 January 2024
Estimated: JPY 2,500,000 – 3,500,000
JPY 3,910,000 / USD 26,385

KAWS
KARIMOKU KAWS GOOD INTENTIONS, 2021
Wood, multiple, the complete set of 2 works with original case
Signed and numbered on the bottom of left foot
From an edition of 100

Phillips Hong-Kong: 30 November 2022
Estimated: HKD 180,000 – 280,000
HKD 352,800 / USD 45,170

 

 

SBI Art Auction: 29 October 2022
Estimated: JPY 2,500,000 – 3,500,000
JPY 8,855,000 / USD 60,045
AUCTION RECORD FOR GOOD INTENTIONS

KAWS
KARIMOKU KAWS GOOD INTENTIONS, 2021
Walnut, multiple, the complete set of 2 works with original case
Signed and numbered on the bottom of left foot
From the edition of 100

Christie’s London: 14 October 2022
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000
GBP 44,100 / USD 49,840

KAWS (B. 1974)
Good Intentions, 2021
Wood, in two parts with original box
signed, numbered and stamped ‘MEDICOM TOY 2021 JAPAN KAWS, 40/100’ (on the underside of larger figure)
This work is number forty from an edition of one hundred, plus twenty artist’s proofs

SBI Art Auction: 28 May 2022
Estimated: JPY 3,000,000 – 5,000,000
JPY 7,130,000 / USD 56,085

KAWS
KARIMOKU KAWS GOOD INTENTIONS, 2021
Wood, multiple, the complete set of 2 works with original case
Signed and numbered on the bottom of left foot
From the edition of 100