The major exhibition "KAWS TOKYO FIRST" by artist KAWS, renowned for his colorful works featuring characters with crossed-out eyes, will be held at the Mori Arts Center Gallery in Roppongi from Friday, July 16, 2021, to Monday, October 11, 2021.

KAWS was born in 1974 in New Jersey, USA. He emerged as a graffiti artist in the early 1990s and subsequently studied at the School of Visual Arts in New York from 1993 to 1996. He gained recognition through works such as painting advertisements on bus stop signs, becoming a part of the 1990s graffiti art scene.

His connection with Japan is strong; he visited in 1996, experienced Tokyo's subculture, and participated in street art projects. In 2001, he held his first solo exhibition in Japan, "KAWS TOKYO FIRST," at Shibuya Parco. In 2019, "KAWS: HOLIDAY JAPAN" was held at the foot of Mt. Fuji, generating significant buzz.

The exhibition "KAWS TOKYO FIRST" at the Mori Arts Center Gallery shares its title with the 2001 Shibuya Parco solo exhibition. However, 20 years after his first solo show in Japan, the title for this 2021 exhibition signifies a "return to origin," tracing the trajectory of KAWS's creative evolution.

Now an artist who defines the era, KAWS expands his reach across all art genres. Beyond graffiti, painting, graphic design, and industrial design, he enjoys widespread popularity, especially among younger generations, through product collaborations with fashion brands like UNIQLO and A BATHING APE, and with designers from brands including Dior. Concurrently, he has established an unshakeable position in the fine art world as a painter in recent years.

This exhibition delves into KAWS's visual approach, encompassing both commercial and fine art domains. Through approximately 70 paintings, sculptures, and products, it traces the unique trajectory of his artistic creation and its art historical significance. Furthermore, works by artists who have influenced KAWS will be displayed from his private collection.