Urge 4
Urge 4
Signed Print
KAWS
£2,400-£3,550Value Indicator
$4,950-$7,500 Value Indicator
$4,500-$6,500 Value Indicator
¥23,000-¥35,000 Value Indicator
€2,850-€4,200 Value Indicator
$24,000-$35,000 Value Indicator
¥460,000-¥680,000 Value Indicator
$3,100-$4,600 Value Indicator
AAGR (5 years) This estimate blends recent public auction records with our own private sale data and network demand.
There aren't enough data points on this work for a comprehensive result. Please speak to a specialist by making an enquiry.
Medium: Screenprint
Edition size: 250
Year: 2020
Size: H 43cm x W 32cm
Signed: Yes
Format: Signed Print
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Auction Results
| Auction Date | Auction House | Location | Hammer Price | Return to Seller | Buyer Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | SBI Art Auction | Japan | |||
| August 2024 | Rago | United States | |||
| February 2023 | Forum Auctions London | United Kingdom | |||
| November 2022 | Bonhams New York | United States | |||
| September 2022 | SBI Art Auction | Japan | |||
| July 2022 | Wright | United States | |||
| March 2022 | Wright | United States |
Meaning & Analysis
Urge 4 is a signed screen print in colours produced by the critically acclaimed American artist and designer, KAWS in 2020. The print comes in an edition size of 250 and the print depicts KAWS’ cartoon character, Companion in a dark burgundy. Companion’s face is covered by hands that appear to be coming out of nowhere. Four hands, each rendered in a different bright colour, block Companion’s face meaning the viewer can only see Companion’s crossed out eyes.
Companion’s crossed out eyes are mirrored by the crosses on the gloved hands that intrude upon the character’s face. Crosses are a signature element of KAWS’ visual language and appear frequently in the artist’s works. KAWS often replaces the eyes of his cartoon characters, such as Companion, with crosses, and this has become a trademark feature of the artist’s works. While Companion is an original creation that KAWS designed in 1999, the artist has also taken well-known cartoon characters, such as SpongeBob Square Pants and The Simpsons, and adapted them using his distinct visual style. This always involves replacing the characters’ eyes with crosses, as is seen in the Kawsbob collection.
Urge 4 is one of ten screen prints that compose the Urge collection. Each print in this series depicts Companion surrounded by gloved hands and bright colours, another characteristic feature of KAWS’ visual language.
American-born artist, KAWS, is renowned for his cartoon figures, prints and 'subvertisements'. Born in 1974 to the burgeoning New York graffiti and street art scene, KAWS has successfully combined fine art and pop culture to create his own lane in the urban art world. His distinct aesthetic, characterised by playful figures and a subversive take on pop culture icons, has earned him acclaim in both the art and mainstream realms. Most notable is his Companion figure which has achieved global critical and commercial success, and has formed collaborations with the likes of Nike and Dior Homme.
