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Rebel Without A KAWS

Following in the footsteps of Shepard Fairey, street artist KAWS is celebrating his first solo show in Los Angeles this weekend.

KAWS, aka Brian Donnelly, told CBS news that he chose his name nearly twenty years ago while tagging buildings in his hometown of Jersey City, NJ.

"It's just a combination of letters I liked," he told CBS. "And when your whole art's based on the lettering you choose, you kinda figure out what ones work together. I just liked the shapes of the k, a, w, s. It has no meaning."

KAWS began his signature mark--placing Xs over the eyes of recognizable figures in pop culture- in the early 90s and quickly made a name for himself in the street art world. His most popular pieces include several paintings of Smurfs and vinyl Stormtrooper figurines, all with Xs for eyes.

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