What is the birth name of the streetwear artist known professionally as KAWS?

The streetwear artist known professionally as KAWS was born Brian Donnelly.

Donnelly adopted the name KAWS as his artistic identity and became known for paintings, sculpture, toys and graphic work featuring recurring characters such as Companion and Chum. His practice bridges fine art, popular culture, collectible design and streetwear.

Before becoming internationally famous for gallery exhibitions and large sculptures, he worked in animation and developed an interest in altering advertisements and public images. His recognizable characters later appeared in collaborations with brands including Uniqlo, Nike and Dior.

KAWS is sometimes described as a fashion designer or a clothing brand, but he is primarily an artist whose visual language has had major influence on streetwear and collectibles. Brian Donnelly is his birth name; KAWS is the professional name by which his artwork is widely identified.