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Paper Smile - Signed Print by KAWS 2012 - MyArtBroker

Paper Smile
Signed Print

KAWS

£5,000-£7,500Value Indicator

$10,000-$14,500 Value Indicator

$9,000-$13,000 Value Indicator

¥45,000-¥70,000 Value Indicator

6,000-9,000 Value Indicator

$50,000-$70,000 Value Indicator

¥960,000-¥1,440,000 Value Indicator

$6,000-$9,000 Value Indicator

-3% AAGR

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: 100

Year: 2012

Size: H 64cm x W 51cm

Signed: Yes

Format: Signed Print

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Track auction value trend

The value of KAWS's Paper Smile (signed) is estimated to be worth between £5,000 and £7,500. This screenprint has shown consistent value growth, with an average annual growth rate of 4%. This work has an auction history of 12 total sales since its entry to the market in April 2016. Over the past five years, the hammer price has ranged from £4,743 in September 2022 to £6,867 in October 2020. The average return to the seller is £4,934. The edition size of this artwork is limited to 100.

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Auction Results

Auction DateAuction HouseLocation
Hammer Price
Return to Seller
Buyer Paid
September 2022Wright United States
October 2020Phillips Hong Kong Hong Kong
October 2019Sotheby's New York United States
October 2019Sotheby's Hong Kong Hong Kong
July 2019Tate Ward Auctions United Kingdom
June 2018Chiswick Auctions United Kingdom
December 2016Forum Auctions London United Kingdom

Meaning & Analysis

Paper Smile is a signed screen print in colours produced by the internationally acclaimed American artist and designer, KAWS in 2012. The print depicts a composition of graphic shapes rendered in dark colours, with purple, grey and black dominating the piece. When looked at closely, the viewer can discern two large cartoon eyes. KAWS adds his signature crosses over the pupils, one in red, one in green, which contrast with the white of the eyes. It seems like the oblong shapes are obstructing a face, however it is difficult to make out exactly what lies behind them.

The print captures the essence of KAWS’ unique artistic style, characterised by an emphasis on colour, use of bold gestural line and incorporation of a set of distinct graphics. Crossed out eyes are a trademark element of KAWS’ visual language and the artist often adds them to the cartoon characters depicted in his prints.

KAWS’ style was heavily influenced by graffiti and street art. The artist started experimenting with graffiti from a young age, spray painting buildings in New Jersey where he grew up. KAWS continued to hone his graffiti skills in New York where he moved in the late 1990s. KAWS would unlock cases of adverts that he found in phone booths and bus stops and deface the adverts, reconfiguring them with his own graphic style. KAWS’ love for graffiti marks this print and harks back to the early stages of his artistic career.

  • 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.