With Time Off, KAWS introduces a rare moment of suspension within the Companion universe—one in which the figure is no longer standing, supporting, or enduring, but simply resting. Released in 2023 in vivid pink, deep blue, and black colorways, the work departs from the upright logic of earlier compositions and instead adopts a reclining pose, leaning on one arm with a casual, almost disarming ease.
Introduction
The most immediate shift lies in the transformation of the figure itself. Here, the Companion is reinterpreted through the lens of BFF—its surface entirely covered in textured “fur,” introducing a tactile softness that contrasts with the typically smooth, industrial finish of KAWS’ sculptures. The exaggerated volume of the hair-like surface catches light in a more irregular way, giving the figure a sense of movement even in stillness.
This material treatment alters the reading of the form. The Companion, often perceived as rigid and sealed, becomes approachable, almost animate. The reclining posture reinforces this: one arm props the body up, the other rests loosely across the torso, while the legs extend forward in a position that suggests neither tension nor narrative—only pause.
Each colorway introduces a distinct emotional register. The pink version, the most immediately striking, leans into a playful, almost ironic softness, echoing childhood associations while maintaining the neutrality of the crossed-out eyes. The blue version offers a cooler, more subdued presence, while the black version returns the figure to a more introspective, restrained state. Across all three, the contrast between the brightly colored noses and the muted eyes subtly anchors the face, preserving the identity of the figure despite its transformation.
Time Off operates as a conceptual counterpoint to earlier works such as Along The Way or The Promise, where figures are defined through interaction, responsibility, or emotional weight. Here, that dynamic is suspended. The figure is alone, disengaged from narrative, removed from obligation. The title is precise. “Time off” implies a break—not an end, not a resolution, but a temporary withdrawal. The Companion, long positioned as a carrier of emotional and symbolic weight, is here allowed to exist without function. Yet even in this state, the crossed-out eyes remain. The figure rests, but does not see. The pause is physical, not perceptual.
This work reflects a broader evolution in KAWS’ practice, where the Companion is no longer confined to a fixed emotional register. Instead, it becomes a flexible vehicle—capable of expressing not only tension, support, or introspection, but also absence, detachment, and ease. The introduction of the fur-like surface further expands this vocabulary, bridging the gap between collectible object, character design, and sculptural presence.
In the end, Time Off is less about action than about its absence. It offers a rare still point within a body of work often defined by movement—whether physical or emotional. The Companion does not collapse. It reclines. And in doing so, it introduces something unexpected into KAWS’ universe: rest without explanation.
TIME OFF (Pink/Blue/Black), 2023
TIME OFF (Pink/Blue/Black)
The complete set of three works
Medium: Painted cast vinyl
Year: 2023
Dimensions: 18x27x15 cm (7 x 10-1/2 x 6 inches)
Edition: Open edition
Release Price: USD 320
Produced by Medicom Toy
Printed signature, title, date and manufacturer’s mark to underside of each example
‘KAWS 23 Time Off Medicom Toy China’
Auction Results
Artcurial Paris: 7 October 2025
Estimated: EUR 700 – 900
EUR 827 / USD 970
KAWS
Time Off (Black-Pink-Blue), 2022
Painted Vinyl
Signed and dated under the base
In their original box
Open edition
Edition Medicom Toy, Tokyo
TIME OFF (Blue), 2023
TIME OFF (Blue)
Medium: Painted cast vinyl
Year: 2023
Dimensions: 18x27x15 cm (7 x 10-1/2 x 6 inches)
Edition: Open edition
Release Price: USD 320
Produced by Medicom Toy
Printed signature, title, date and manufacturer’s mark to underside of each example
‘KAWS 23 Time Off Medicom Toy China’
Auction Results
Heritage Auctions: 5 November 2025
USD 425
KAWS (b. 1974)
Time Off (Blue), 2023
Painted cast vinyl
Stamped on underside
Produced by Medicom Toy, Tokyo
TIME OFF (Pink), 2023
TIME OFF (Pink)
Medium: Painted cast vinyl
Year: 2023
Dimensions: 18x27x15 cm (7 x 10-1/2 x 6 inches)
Edition: Open edition
Release Price: USD 320
Produced by Medicom Toy
Printed signature, title, date and manufacturer’s mark to underside of each example
‘KAWS 23 Time Off Medicom Toy China’
Auction Results
Heritage Auctions: 6 August 2025
USD 450
KAWS (b. 1974)
Time Off (Pink), 2023
Painted cast vinyl
Stamped on underside
Produced by Medicom Toy, Tokyo
TIME OFF (Black), 2023
TIME OFF (Black)
Medium: Painted cast vinyl
Year: 2023
Dimensions: 18x27x15 cm (7 x 10-1/2 x 6 inches)
Edition: Open edition
Release Price: USD 320
Produced by Medicom Toy
Printed signature, title, date and manufacturer’s mark to underside of each example
‘KAWS 23 Time Off Medicom Toy China’
Auction Results
Heritage Auctions: 6 August 2025
USD 375
KAWS (b. 1974)
Time Off (Black), 2023
Painted cast vinyl
Stamped on underside
Produced by Medicom Toy, Tokyo