American artist and designer KAWS has left Perrotin, the gallery that has presented him for 11 years, and is now exclusively represented by Skarstedt Gallery.

KAWS, whose real name is Brian Donnelly, was represented by Perrotin since 2008. The gallery has locations in New York, Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Seoul, and Shanghai.

Regarding KAWS’ departure from Perrotin’s roster, the gallery’s founder Emmanuel Perrotin told ARTnews in a statement, “We are very proud of the work we did with KAWS over these 11 years. Considering all the pressure, this collaboration has come to an end. In any case, we will be satisfied if his career continues to develop in a good way and we wish him all the very best moving forward.”

KAWS' GONE exhibition at Skarstedt last November 

Skarstedt has represented KAWS for the last year and a half and gave him a solo show in New York last November. The gallery has planned another show for the artist in London this October. Skarstedt has galleries in New York and London but it doesn’t have any locations in Asia, where KAWS has been extremely popular in.

There is no doubt about KAWS’ dominance in the art and auction market, as well as his popularity in Asia in recent years. KAWS, who started as a street artist, has become well-known for his paintings and sculptures.

This April, KAWS’ THE KAWS Album, a work inspired by The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover, was sold for HK$115.96m (US$14.78m), setting a new auction record for the American artist.

KAWS’s upcoming project includes a 40-Meter KAWS Companion sculpture at Mount Fuji in Japan this July which marks its fourth stop after touring in Seoul, Taipei and Hong Kong.

KAWS Companion sculpture is already resting under Mount Fuji

KAWS Companion in Hong Kong this March

KAWS Companion in Taipei