The celebrated artist KAWS has officially unveiled a limited-edition bottle design for Absolut Vodka. The ABSOLUT KAWS Artist Edition is currently available for pre-order, with a wider rollout to select U.S. retailers scheduled for the near future.
The design features the artist’s iconic “XX” motif alongside his signature CHUM character. The reverse side of the bottle showcases a reproduction of an original painting commissioned by Absolut, which served as the foundational inspiration for the project.
This collaboration places KAWS within a prestigious lineage of creators who have partnered with the brand. Absolut’s art program dates back to 1985, when Andy Warhol created the inaugural “Absolut Warhol” advertisement. Warhol’s involvement famously led to the inclusion of Keith Haring in the series. Between 1985 and 2004, over 550 artists contributed more than 850 works to the collection, which is now preserved at the Spritmuseum in Stockholm. While most previous collaborations focused on advertising campaigns, the KAWS project distinguishes itself by integrating the artwork directly onto the bottle.
“My goal is to allow art to meet people in unexpected places,” KAWS said in a statement.
Born Brian Donnelly, KAWS rose to prominence through his early work tagging trains and billboards in New Jersey. His transition from street art to the gallery circuit has seen his work exhibited at major institutions, including the Brooklyn Museum, London’s Serpentine Gallery, and the Andy Warhol Museum.
