It’s been just over three years since cult street-art superstar Kaws took over the NGV with his cartoonish, exuberant and instantly recognisable sculptures. And just over two years since one of the New York-based artist’s works – a colossal 5.5-metre-high sculpture – landed at the iconic Pt Leo Estate sculpture park on the Mornington Peninsula.
But this week, at dawn on Wednesday, a 42-metre-high hot air balloon version of one of his signature works – Companion – took to Melbourne’s sky for a one-off display flight. It kicked off at Albert Park Lake and levitated its way over the Melbourne skyline, floating past the NGV and the Melbourne Arts Precinct, then over the Yarra.
The work, called Kaws: Holiday Melbourne, was presented exclusively by the NGV and creative brand All Rights Reserved. It’s the first time it’s shown in the southern hemisphere, following stints in the UK, Seoul, Taipei, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore.
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