The present sculpture belongs to one of KAWS’ most refined and conceptually resolved bodies of work: BETTER KNOWING. Here, the artist revisits his iconic COMPANION figure, not as a pop-cultural avatar standing upright and assertive, but as a withdrawn, introspective presence. The character is seated, head bowed, arms wrapped around one knee, an almost classical pose of contemplation, vulnerability, or quiet resignation.

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Introduction

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What distinguishes this particular edition immediately is its execution in carved walnut wood produced in collaboration with the renowned Japanese manufacturer Karimoku. Unlike the more common painted vinyl or cast resin editions, this work is defined by its material nobility and artisanal precision. The visible grain of the wood is not merely decorative; it becomes an integral part of the sculpture’s identity, introducing warmth, depth, and a sense of temporality. Each piece, while editioned, carries subtle variations inherent to the natural material, placing it in a more elevated category within KAWS’ sculptural output.

The treatment of the surface is exceptionally restrained. There is no color intervention, no graphic disruption beyond the signature “X” eyes and minimal facial incisions. This reduction amplifies the emotional charge of the figure. Deprived of the visual noise often associated with KAWS’ practice, the sculpture becomes almost meditative. The bowed head, combined with the closed-off posture, suggests introspection, fatigue, or even a form of quiet melancholy—far removed from the ironic detachment of his earlier appropriations of cartoon culture.

From a formal standpoint, the translation into wood introduces a different reading of volume. The rounded, almost inflatable forms typical of KAWS take on a new weight and permanence. The softness of the character is preserved, yet it is counterbalanced by the density of the material. This tension, between the visual language of mass-produced toys and the tradition of fine woodworking, is precisely where the work gains its conceptual strength.

Within KAWS’ broader sculptural practice, BETTER KNOWING marks a moment of maturity. It aligns with other introspective poses—such as AT THIS TIME or ALONG THE WAY—yet distinguishes itself through its heightened material presence. The Karimoku editions, in particular, can be understood as the closest the artist comes to bridging collectible design, contemporary sculpture, and craftsmanship in the most classical sense.

From a market perspective, these wood editions occupy a superior tier within KAWS’ editioned works. Produced in smaller quantities, here as an edition of 100, they are significantly rarer than his open or larger vinyl editions. Their fabrication quality, combined with the prestige of Karimoku and the timeless appeal of the material, has made them especially sought after by seasoned collectors. They often function as anchor pieces within a KAWS-focused collection, signaling a shift from entry-level collectibles to more serious, materially and conceptually grounded acquisitions.

Ultimately, BETTER KNOWING (Walnut) encapsulates a subtle but important evolution in KAWS’ practice. It retains the immediacy and recognizability of his visual language while introducing a depth, both emotional and material, that aligns it more closely with the traditions of sculpture than with the world of toys from which his work originally emerged.

 

 

 

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Better Knowing (Karimoku Edition)

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Better Knowing

Medium: Walnut wood
Year: 2023
Dimensions: 45.7 x 45.7 x 33 cm (17 7/8 x 17 7/8 x 13 inches)
Edition: 100
Artist’s Proofs: 10 AP
Publisher: The Artist, New-York

Signed in ink on the underside
Numbered on the underside and on the certificate

 

 

Auction Results

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SBI Art Auction: 24 January 2026
Estimated: JPY 1,000,000 – 1,500,000
JPY 1,265,000 / USD 8,165

KAWS
Better Knowing, 2023
Wood, multiple with original case
Signed, dated and numbered on the bottom of right foot
From the edition of 100
Instructions card by AllRightsReserved

Christie’s online: 26 February 2025
Estimated: USD 20,000 – 30,000
USD 21,420

KAWS (B. 1974)
Better Knowing, 2023
Walnut wood multiple
Signed in ink on the underside
Numbered 67/100 on the underside and on the certificate (there were also ten artist’s proofs)
Together with the certificate of authenticity, installation instructions, QR code, and handling gloves
Contained within the original wooden box

 

LLB Auctions: 22 December 2024
Estimated: EUR 25,000 – 40,000
EUR 20,200 / USD 21,070

KAWS
Better Knowing, 2023
Wooden multiple
Signed, dated and numbered on the bottom of right foot
An artist’s proof aside from the edition of 100
With original box

SBI Art Auction: 24 May 2024
Estimated: JPY 4,000,000 – 7,000,000
JPY 3,680,000 / USD 23,447

KAWS
BETTER KNOWING, 2023
Wood, multiple with original case
Signed, dated and numbered on the bottom of right foot
From and edition of 100
Certificate of Authenticity by AllRightsReserved

Christie’s New-York: 14 March 2024
Estimated: USD 20,000 – 30,000
USD 35,280
AUCTION RECORD FOR BETTER KNOWING

KAWS (B.1974)
Better Knowing, 2023
Walnut wood multiple
Signed in ink on the underside
Numbered 36⁄100 on the underside and on the certificate
In very good condition
Together with the certificate of authenticity, installation instructions, QR code, and handling gloves, contained within the original wooden box

LLB Auctions: 10 March 2024
Estimated: EUR 25,000 – 30,000
EUR 27,800 / USD 30,045

 

 

 

KAWS
Better Knowing, 2023
Wooden multiple
Signed, dated and numbered on the bottom of right foot
An artist’s proof aside from the edition of 100
With original box

 

 

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Monumental

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BETTER KNOWING, 2003

Phillips New-York: 20 November 2024
Estimated: USD 500,000 – 700,000
USD 571,500

KAWS – Modern & Contemporary Art D… Lot 324 November 2024 | Phillips

BETTER KNOWING, 2013, realizes KAWS’ signature figure at a monumental scale. Taking the form of a highly stylized Pinocchio, the artist’s widely celebrated COMPANION character sits in a contemplative posture, holding his nose in his hand. A significant work from the artist’s practice, another example of BETTER KNOWING was exhibited in KAWS’ major 2016–2017 solo exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art Fort Worth, which then travelled to the Luz Museum Shanghai. A bronze iteration of the figure was exhibited in front of the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam in 2015 as part of the ArtZuid sculpture biennial. The global reception of the work is a testament to KAWS’ cross-cultural appeal and potent relevancy within contemporary culture.  BETTER KNOWING takes the form of KAWS’ best-known figure, COMPANION, a distorted Mickey Mouse of sorts that was first released by the artist as a toy edition in 1999. COMPANION was later joined by ACCOMPLICE, a similar but distinct figure modelled after a toy bunny with floppy ears, and CHUM, modelled after the Michelin man. The three figures comprise a trinity within KAWS’ practice, appearing in his most important and recognizable works. On one level playful and cartoon-esque, KAWS’ figures are often presented grappling with complex emotions.

In the present example, COMPANION takes on the added reference of Pinocchio, an iteration KAWS has explored in additional works including SMALL LIE, 2013. With BETTER KNOWING, KAWS engages with the moral creed of the Disney movie and the emotions of its flawed main character. The figure sits on the floor with his head bowed low and holding his nose, which has seemingly fallen off. The psychologically charged, abstracted rendering of Pinocchio puts KAWS in the company of Maurizio Cattelan and Jim Dine, who have also famously reinterpreted the tragicomic hero. KAWS is expert at creating characters that solicit empathy as they trudge through life, often depicted in forlorn postures. Featuring non-human subjects, his works are abstract enough to stand in for generalized emotions. As compelling anthropomorphic figures, they solicit interest and empathy.