Top image: courtesy of YSP, © Jonty Wilde

UT (UNIQLO T-shirts) will continue its slick affiliation with pop culture this spring via a fresh collaboration drop involving global pop-artist, KAWS. UT has previously collaborated with SPRZ NY and Shochiku Kabuki.

During the 90s KAWS became well-practiced in graffiti, spraying letters of his name across freight trains and tagging walls. Skulls, cross-bones and crossed-out eyes became part of his signature, having developed it while working for animation studios. Now his style is unmistakable.

Works by the artist are subversive, playful and strike a simultaneous tone of reality. Both art and design mediums are straddled: painting, product design, sculpture and large-scale murals are part of KAWS’ broad portfolio and have been exhibited at some of the most revered museums throughout the globe.

KAWS’ work is currently being exhibited at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park – the first UK exhibition of the artist’s work. A mix of wood and fibre-glass sculptures and acrylic paintings, the exhibition ranges from compelling graphical portraits and 30-feet, dejected sculptures standing outside in the Yorkshire cold.