“The Walk Home,” a 2012 painting featuring the cartoon character SpongeBob SquarePants by KAWS, sold Thursday for $6 million at Phillips. Credit via Phillips.

KAWS is “former graffiti tagger” Brian Donnelly.

“The market is wacky…,” said Douglas Walla, a private dealer based in New York, commenting on the current vogue for KAWS. “The whole thing is lubricated by social media. Artists have been able to become successful without having to engage with the critical arena.”

KAWS, Kurf (Hot Dog) sold for $2.7 million at Sotheby’s. Credit via Sotheby’s.

(Scott Reyburn, “Contemporary Art Evening Sales Bring $981 Million, Led by Koons and KAWS,” NYTimes, 5-17-19)

(c) 2019 JMN