Ups And Downs #8 2013

Kaws made this abstract pop painting called Ups And Downs #8, and it's all about hard edges and flat color, like vinyl cut-outs. I see artmaking as a process of layering, of pushing and pulling, but here the surface is smooth, almost untouched. It's so different from how I usually work. The colors here are bright but also kind of muted, creating a strange emotional mix. The crossed-out eyes, they're like a logo, repeated and flattened, yet they hint at something deeper. Look at the way the shapes bump into each other, some outlined in black. It reminds me of early computer graphics, but with a human touch, just barely. Kaws' work always makes me think about what it means to take something recognizable and turn it into something else. I’m reminded of artists like Ellsworth Kelly, who also played with simplified forms and bold colors, but with a totally different vibe. Art's just an ongoing conversation, right? Always asking questions, never giving easy answers.