Four Foot Dissected Companion (Black)
by KAWS
Year: 2009
Medium: Sculpture, Painted cast vinyl
Size: 50 X 22 X 14″ in
Edition of 100
Standing as a defining example of KAWS’ sculptural innovation, Four Foot Dissected Companion (Black) (2009) is a painted cast vinyl sculpture measuring 50 × 22 × 14 inches, produced in a limited edition of 100. The work transforms the iconic Companion figure into a meditation on structure, emotion, and human fragility. Its monochromatic finish, scarce edition, and significant place within KAWS’ oeuvre make it a prized acquisition for collectors of contemporary art.
Four Foot Dissected Companion (Black) is a major sculptural work from KAWS’ influential Companion series, showcasing the artist’s ability to transform a familiar character into a profound exploration of identity and emotion. First introduced through KAWS’ gallery and studio practice, the sculpture was created as a fine art edition rather than a street graffiti artwork. While KAWS’ early career was built on public interventions, this large-scale sculpture required controlled production, precise fabrication, and studio craftsmanship.
The dissected form reveals the interior of the iconic Companion figure, creating a visual dialogue between the external image we present and the emotions hidden beneath the surface. The black finish gives the sculpture a powerful, timeless presence while emphasizing themes of introspection, vulnerability, mortality, and self-awareness. By exposing the figure’s internal structure, KAWS challenges traditional ideas of character design and contemporary sculpture.
Collectors recognize Four Foot Dissected Companion (Black) as a highly significant work within KAWS’ career. Its limited availability, strong connection to the artist’s most recognizable character, and importance within the evolution of contemporary sculpture contribute to its lasting market demand.
At ArtLife Gallery, we view this sculpture as a cornerstone of KAWS’ artistic legacy. Closely connected to Four Foot Dissected Companion (Brown), OriginalFake Companion, Chum, and BFF, it represents the period when KAWS firmly established himself as a leading voice in global contemporary art.
KAWS, born Brian Donnelly in Jersey City in 1974, has become one of contemporary art’s most recognisable figures by moving between street art, fine art, fashion, and design. After studying illustration at New York’s School of Visual Arts, he worked in animation while developing a graffiti practice that soon evolved into a distinctive artistic language.
His iconic characters, including Companion, BFF, Chum, and Accomplice, blend cartoon-inspired forms with X-shaped eyes and expressive gestures. Beneath their playful appearance, KAWS explores isolation, friendship, consumer culture, and human connection. These figures have appeared across paintings, sculptures, drawings, vinyl editions, and public works, creating a visual identity that is instantly recognisable.
Collaboration became a defining part of his career. Partnerships with Medicom Toy, Uniqlo, Nike, Dior, Supreme, and other global names helped blur the boundaries between contemporary art, fashion, product design, and popular culture. His Tokyo label, OriginalFake, strengthened this crossover during the 2000s. Even today, KAWS’ approach to collaboration shows how art can move naturally between galleries, retail spaces, and everyday life.
KAWS has exhibited internationally at major museums and institutions, presenting paintings, sculptures, drawings, and collectibles to audiences far beyond the traditional gallery system. His ability to pair accessibility with artistic ambition has made him a defining figure in 21st-century visual culture. This wide reach also helps explain why KAWS has become so famous.
His influence extends into the global art market, where scarcity, edition size, provenance, condition, and cultural significance can affect value. For anyone considering investing in KAWS art, understanding the factors behind his investment market and the prices achieved at auction offers useful context for evaluating his enduring position in contemporary art.
More KAWS Works to Explore
Four Foot Dissected Companion (Black)
by KAWS
Year: 2009
Medium: Sculpture, Painted cast vinyl
Size: 50 X 22 X 14″ in
Edition of 100
Standing as a defining example of KAWS’ sculptural innovation, Four Foot Dissected Companion (Black) (2009) is a painted cast vinyl sculpture measuring 50 × 22 × 14 inches, produced in a limited edition of 100. The work transforms the iconic Companion figure into a meditation on structure, emotion, and human fragility. Its monochromatic finish, scarce edition, and significant place within KAWS’ oeuvre make it a prized acquisition for collectors of contemporary art.
Four Foot Dissected Companion (Black) is a major sculptural work from KAWS’ influential Companion series, showcasing the artist’s ability to transform a familiar character into a profound exploration of identity and emotion. First introduced through KAWS’ gallery and studio practice, the sculpture was created as a fine art edition rather than a street graffiti artwork. While KAWS’ early career was built on public interventions, this large-scale sculpture required controlled production, precise fabrication, and studio craftsmanship.
The dissected form reveals the interior of the iconic Companion figure, creating a visual dialogue between the external image we present and the emotions hidden beneath the surface. The black finish gives the sculpture a powerful, timeless presence while emphasizing themes of introspection, vulnerability, mortality, and self-awareness. By exposing the figure’s internal structure, KAWS challenges traditional ideas of character design and contemporary sculpture.
Collectors recognize Four Foot Dissected Companion (Black) as a highly significant work within KAWS’ career. Its limited availability, strong connection to the artist’s most recognizable character, and importance within the evolution of contemporary sculpture contribute to its lasting market demand.
At ArtLife Gallery, we view this sculpture as a cornerstone of KAWS’ artistic legacy. Closely connected to Four Foot Dissected Companion (Brown), OriginalFake Companion, Chum, and BFF, it represents the period when KAWS firmly established himself as a leading voice in global contemporary art.
KAWS, born Brian Donnelly in Jersey City in 1974, has become one of contemporary art’s most recognisable figures by moving between street art, fine art, fashion, and design. After studying illustration at New York’s School of Visual Arts, he worked in animation while developing a graffiti practice that soon evolved into a distinctive artistic language.
His iconic characters, including Companion, BFF, Chum, and Accomplice, blend cartoon-inspired forms with X-shaped eyes and expressive gestures. Beneath their playful appearance, KAWS explores isolation, friendship, consumer culture, and human connection. These figures have appeared across paintings, sculptures, drawings, vinyl editions, and public works, creating a visual identity that is instantly recognisable.
Collaboration became a defining part of his career. Partnerships with Medicom Toy, Uniqlo, Nike, Dior, Supreme, and other global names helped blur the boundaries between contemporary art, fashion, product design, and popular culture. His Tokyo label, OriginalFake, strengthened this crossover during the 2000s. Even today, KAWS’ approach to collaboration shows how art can move naturally between galleries, retail spaces, and everyday life.
KAWS has exhibited internationally at major museums and institutions, presenting paintings, sculptures, drawings, and collectibles to audiences far beyond the traditional gallery system. His ability to pair accessibility with artistic ambition has made him a defining figure in 21st-century visual culture. This wide reach also helps explain why KAWS has become so famous.
His influence extends into the global art market, where scarcity, edition size, provenance, condition, and cultural significance can affect value. For anyone considering investing in KAWS art, understanding the factors behind his investment market and the prices achieved at auction offers useful context for evaluating his enduring position in contemporary art.