KAWS Painting Smashes World Auction Record for Artist

Watch the bidding battle unfold as a buyer shatters the auction record for street artist KAWS. The record-breaking work was based on The Beatles’ ‘Sgt. Pepper’ album cover but populated by Simpsons characters featuring KAWS’ signature Xs over their eyes. It came from the collection of A Bathing Ape founder and streetwear entrepreneur NIGO® and was a highlight of Sotheby’s NIGOLDENEYE® Vol.1 auction in Hong Kong. All 33 artworks and collectibles were sold, for a total of HK$220 million / US$28 million, marking the third ‘white glove’, 100%-sold sale that Sotheby’s and NIGO® have achieved together since 2014. ‘The Kaws Album’ sold for HK$116 million / US$14.8 million, around 15 times the estimate. Other highlights from NIGO®’s personal collection included another KAWS piece depicting the Simpson family called ‘Untitled (Kimpsons #3), sneakers designed by KAWS for A Bathing Ape and a KAWS art toy based on Japanese manga character Astro Boy.