KAWS and comic culture take center stage in major Albertina Modern exhibition
Brigitte Kowanz, Anything goes, 2014. 142 × 180 × 15 cm, Neon, wood, lacquer. ESTATE OF BRIGITTE KOWANZ, Courtesy Galerie Krinzinger, Vienna © Estate Brigitte Kowanz/Bildrecht, Vienna 2026. Photo: Peter Hoiß.
VIENNA.—
A new exhibition at Albertina Modern is putting comics at the heart of contemporary art, revealing how graphic storytelling has shaped visual culture over the past decades. Bringing together a wide range of artists, the show explores the dynamic relationship between comics, cartoons, and fine art since the second half of the 20th century.
At the center of the exhibition is KAWS, whose instantly recognizable figures bridge the worlds of pop culture, commercial imagery, and museum-grade sculpture. By placing his work alongside both historical and contemporary artists, the exhibition highlights how comics have evolved into a universal visual language that transcends cultural and social boundaries.
KAWS: from street interventions to global icon
KAWS, who began his career in the 1990s altering advertisements in public spaces, has built an international reputation through his emotionally charged characters. Known for their crossed-out eyes and expressive body language, his figures often appear introspective—sometimes embracing, sometimes isolated, and often quietly melancholic.
His large-scale sculptures, frequently installed in public spaces, have helped redefine how audiences engage with contemporary art. The emotional resonance of these works is a key reason behind their global appeal, inviting viewers to see themselves reflected in these simplified yet powerful forms.
Breaking the boundary between high and low art
One of the exhibition’s central themes is the collapse of the traditional divide between “high” and “low” art. Since the 1960s, artists like Roy Lichtenstein and Keith Haring have drawn directly from comic imagery, challenging the hierarchy that once separated fine art from mass culture.
This legacy continues with contemporary artists such as Joyce Pensato, Sue Williams, and Peter Saul, who reinterpret comic aesthetics through painting, sculpture, and installation. Their works demonstrate how elements like bold outlines, flat color fields, and exaggerated expressions can carry complex emotional and political meaning.
A dialogue across generations
Rather than presenting a linear history, the exhibition is structured as an ongoing conversation. KAWS is placed in dialogue with artists ranging from Jean-Michel Basquiat and Öyvind Fahlström to Katherine Bernhardt and Raymond Pettibon.
Each artist engages with comics in a distinct way—whether by appropriating iconic characters, experimenting with text and image, or translating graphic styles into new visual forms. The result is a rich, multi-layered exploration of how comic imagery continues to influence contemporary artistic practice.
The universal language of comics
At its core, the exhibition argues that comics function as a universal language—one that communicates across cultures, generations, and social backgrounds. Their accessibility, immediacy, and emotional clarity make them a powerful tool for storytelling.
Artists in the exhibition draw on this visual language to explore themes such as identity, memory, consumer culture, and emotional experience. Through simplified forms and vivid imagery, they create works that are both instantly recognizable and deeply complex.
