Released between 2021 and 2022, KAWS Family represents a decisive evolution in KAWS’ sculptural practice, moving away from the isolated, iconic figure toward a structured, multi-character composition. The series unfolds across three colorways—Brown, Black, and Grey—each built on the same five-figure configuration, yet differentiated through carefully calibrated palettes.
Each set brings together the artist’s three principal characters: Companion, Chum, and BFF. The composition includes an adult Companion and a child Companion, two Chum figures (child and baby), and a BFF figure, forming a compact ensemble defined by variations in scale and posture. One of the Companions holds a smaller figure, a recurring gesture that introduces a subtle narrative dimension without departing from the formal clarity of the set.
The figures range from approximately 8 cm to 35 cm, creating a hierarchy that is both visual and conceptual. Rather than presenting five independent objects, KAWS constructs a unified sculptural group—one that reads as a complete system rather than a collection of parts.
Introduction
The three editions are produced in painted cast vinyl and published by Medicom Toy, each in a strictly limited run of 500 sets. The dimensions, fabrication, and packaging remain identical across all colorways, reinforcing the idea of a controlled, repeatable format.
Surface treatment plays a key role. The Companion and Chum figures retain the smooth, matte finish characteristic of KAWS’ editions, emphasizing their graphic clarity and volume. In contrast, the BFF introduces a more complex texture, with a dense, fur-like surface that disrupts the otherwise uniform finish of the group. This contrast creates a subtle tension within the set, adding depth without altering the overall composition.
Each set is delivered in its original packaging, with a custom-molded polystyrene insert housed in a branded cardboard box. The packaging is not incidental; it is designed to preserve the integrity of the group, reinforcing the idea that the five figures function as a single work.
While the structure remains constant, the three colorways introduce distinct visual identities:
The Brown version (2021) is the most restrained and closest to the traditional Companion palette. Its muted tones are offset by a blue BFF, creating a controlled contrast that remains relatively understated.
The Black version (2021) is more graphic and immediate. The darker palette emphasizes silhouette and form, reducing the figures to their essential volumes and reinforcing their iconic presence.
The Grey version (2022) introduces a more pronounced chromatic contrast, pairing neutral grey Companions with pink BFF and Chum figures. This version is visually the most dynamic, using color to heighten differentiation within the group.
Across all three, color functions as the only variable. The composition, scale, and relationships between figures remain unchanged, allowing collectors to engage with the series as a coherent whole.
The rollout of KAWS Family follows a deliberate sequence. The Brown and Black editions were first released in September 2021, initially through an online lottery in Japan before being made available globally. The Grey version followed on February 14, 2022, released via KAWSONE, with the Valentine’s Day timing subtly reinforcing the work’s thematic focus on relationships and proximity.
This method of distribution—limited quantities, controlled release channels, and global accessibility—reflects KAWS’ mature approach to editions, balancing exclusivity with broad visibility.
More importantly, the series consolidates the artist’s visual language. By bringing together Companion, Chum, and BFF in a single format, KAWS effectively creates a synthesis of his most recognizable forms, transforming a cast of individual characters into a unified system.
Unlike earlier works centered on isolation or introspection, KAWS Family introduces a relational dimension. The figures are defined not only by their individual forms but by their proximity and interaction. The variation in scale—adult, child, baby—suggests a structure that is immediately legible, yet remains deliberately open-ended.
The gesture of the Companion holding a smaller figure is particularly significant. It introduces notions of care, transmission, and continuity without resorting to overt narrative. As is often the case in KAWS’ work, emotion is implied rather than stated.
At the same time, the figures retain their characteristic neutrality. The “X” eyes, a constant across all characters, maintain a sense of detachment, preventing the composition from becoming overly sentimental. The result is a balance between connection and distance—an equilibrium that defines much of KAWS’ practice.
Since their release, the KAWS Family sets have become among the most sought-after editioned works in the artist’s recent output. With each colorway limited to 500 units, the series combines relative scarcity with strong visual identity, driving sustained demand on the secondary market.
Complete sets, particularly those preserved in their original packaging, typically trade in the €2,500–€3,000 range, with increasing interest in acquiring all three colorways as a unified group.
As with many KAWS editions, the popularity of the series has led to a significant number of counterfeits. Authenticity, provenance, and condition—especially the presence of original packaging—are therefore critical.
Within the broader trajectory of KAWS’ work, KAWS Family stands as a key moment of consolidation and expansion. It retains the clarity and accessibility of his edition practice while introducing a more complex, relational structure—demonstrating that even within a highly controlled format, the artist continues to evolve his visual language with precision.
Family was originally released for the touring museum exhibition KAWS: FAMILY which has been displayed at several major museums. The 2021 bronze sculpture of the same name served as the centerpiece and thematic starting point for the show, which the 2023 print further explored. The exhibition demonstrates how the artist’s work can be appreciated in both fine art and popular culture settings.
Art Gallery of Ontario organized the exhibition and hosted its run from 27 September 2023, to 9 August 2024. This was KAWS’s debut solo institutional show in Canada.
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art hosted the exhibition from March 15 to July 28, 2025, which was KAWS’s solo debut in Arkansas. The presentation expanded on the original AGO version.
The exhibition is scheduled to be on view at The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) from November 15, 2025, through May 3, 2026. This will be the artist’s first major museum exhibition on the West Coast.
In addition to the print, the KAWS Family vinyl figure set was released in multiple colorways, preceding and building on the same thematic idea. The figures were released in 2021 and 2022, allowing fans to own a three-dimensional representation of the family concept, featuring the characters Companion, BFF, and Chum.
Original release (2021)
The initial release occurred in July 2021 as a Japan-exclusive via a lottery system, followed by a broader release on KAWS’s website (kawsone.com) in September 2021. This release came in two colorways: an all-black colorway featuring two Companion figures, a BFF, and a Chum; and a mixed-colorway set, with brown Companion figures, a blue BFF, and white Chum characters.
SBI Art Auction Tokyo: 13 September 2024
Estimated: JPY 180,000 – 280,000
JPY 322,000 / USD 2,275
KAWS
KAWS FAMILY OPEN EDITION (Pink, Multicolor, Black), 2021
Vinyl, multiple with original case, 3 sets
Various size:
18.4 × 8.4 × 8.5 cm (7 1/4 × 3 1/4 x 3 3/8 inches)
34 × 14.7 × 10.9 cm (13 3/8 × 5 3/4× 4 1/4 inches)
(each)
Valentine’s Day release (2022)
A special grey and pink colorway was released on 14 February 2022, offering a new aesthetic interpretation of the family unit. This set included two grey Companions, a pink BFF, and a pink Chum.
The vinyl figures are “open edition,” meaning they are not individually numbered like the prints. However, Artsy notes that once an open edition sells out, KAWS typically does not re-release that specific version, ensuring a finite supply and collectible value. Obviously it all depends on how finite the production in light of global demand. Others mention an unnumbered edition of 300.
While the specific character combinations vary slightly by colorway, the sets generally include a grouping of the artist’s most popular figures: Companion, BFF, and Chum. Like the print and the museum-displayed bronze sculpture, the vinyl figures explore themes of family and relationships. The groupings show different sizes and poses, reflecting the complexity and intimacy of family bonds through KAWS’s signature visual style.