*APC ART is pleased to present “URGE 7” by KAWS (Brian Donnelly) — a landmark silkscreen print in colors on Saunders Waterford fine art paper, hand signed and numbered in graphite from the highly sought-after edition of only 250, published by KAWSONE in 2020.*

*The sheet measures 43 x 32 cm (16.93 x 12.60 inches) and is presented in full archival framing measuring 50.72 x 39.72 cm (19.97 x 15.63 inches). The work is housed in a white, hand-cut frame with archival glass and acid-free museum matting and will arrive ready to hang and immediately enjoy.*

*The “URGE” portfolio stands as one of the most personal and autobiographical bodies of work within KAWS’ graphic practice. Created in 2020 following the period in which both the artist and his wife contracted COVID-19, the series originates from a moment of profound physical and psychological tension. During their illness, doctors repeatedly warned the artist not to touch his face or eyes — a simple human impulse that suddenly became dangerous. From that experience came the conceptual foundation for the suite: the overwhelming, almost involuntary urge to make contact.*

*In “URGE 7,” four gloved hands — each marked with the artist’s signature “XX” — converge in a tightly compressed field. The composition is at once tender and restrained, embodying both connection and denial. The hands appear to reach, press and resist simultaneously, visually articulating the internal conflict between instinct and control.*

*As with many of KAWS’ most important works, the image functions on multiple levels. It is deeply autobiographical — a direct response to a lived moment — while also operating as a broader metaphor for human behavior: the urges we suppress, the comfort of touch, the tension between isolation and intimacy, and the universal need for connection during a period defined by distance.*

*The cross-hatched contouring and muted tonal structure give the composition a sculptural presence and emotional gravity that distinguishes the “URGE” series from the artist’s more overtly graphic works. Here, the visual language is quieter, more introspective and psychologically charged — a rare and highly significant direction within KAWS’ oeuvre.*

*KAWS is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential artists of the 21st century — a cultural force whose impact on contemporary art is frequently compared to that of Andy Warhol. Like Warhol, he has redefined the relationship between fine art and mass culture while achieving simultaneous institutional and global market dominance.*

*From his early interventions on advertising in New York to record-breaking auction results and sold-out museum exhibitions worldwide, KAWS has established a legacy that extends across continents. He is the only artist to hold a permanent large-scale installation in China — the monumental “SEEING / WATCHING” — and his works are held in major metropolitan museum collections across the globe.*

*His collector base spans the most influential figures in music, film, fashion, professional sports and international business, placing his work at the intersection of cultural relevance and blue-chip market stability.*

*Signed and numbered examples from the “URGE” edition are becoming increasingly difficult to acquire, particularly in this level of condition and with full museum-grade archival presentation.*

*As historically important series enter permanent collections, works such as “URGE 7” are widely recognized as cornerstone investment pieces within the KAWS market — combining conceptual depth, autobiographical significance and global institutional validation.*

*The work is in hand in the United States and will ship immediately.*

*“URGE 7” is not simply a print — it is a deeply personal document of a defining moment in recent history, translated through the visual language of one of the most important artists of our time.*

*OFFERED EXCLUSIVELY BY APC ART*
MIA. ATL. NYC. LA. LONDON. PARIS. TOKYO.

Provenance

Purchased direct from KAWSONE upon release in 2020. 

Private collection; New York, NY. USA. 

Included with the work will be a certificate of authenticity issued by APC ART, guaranteeing the work in perpetuity. 

Condition

The work is in mint condition. The work was framed immediately to archival standard using the best materials available. Stunning work.