KAWS Tattoo: 20 Unique Designs That Blend Pop Art and Ink
KAWS tattoos have become one of the most exciting trends in modern body art. Inspired by the iconic work of artist Brian Donnelly, better known as KAWS, these tattoos mix pop art, street culture, and raw emotion into stunning ink pieces. With their trademark X-eyes, playful characters, and bold outlines, KAWS tattoos symbolize everything from rebellion and nostalgia to creativity and companionship.
In this guide, we’ll explore 20 unique KAWS tattoo ideas that go beyond the basics. Each design offers a fresh perspective for tattoo lovers who want ink that feels both personal and artistic.
1. KAWS Companion Ink – The Eternal Watcher
The KAWS Companion tattoo is perhaps the most recognizable design. With its slouched figure and X-eyes, it represents reflection, struggle, and the feeling of always being observed. Perfect for the upper arm or back, this tattoo works beautifully in black and grey realism.
2. Broken Dreams KAWS Tattoo – X-Eyed Expression
This tattoo captures the fragmented emotions often hidden beneath the surface. The broken face with crossed-out eyes symbolizes vulnerability and the reality of broken dreams. Ideal for a forearm tattoo, it carries a raw, emotional punch.
3. KAWS BFF Tattoo – Loyal Shadows in Color
KAWS BFF tattoos are bright, playful, and full of life. With vibrant hues of blue and pink, the BFF character symbolizes loyalty, friendship, and resilience. This design looks stunning on the calf or outer arm.
4. Street Pop KAWS Tattoo – Graffiti on Skin
For fans of urban art, a graffiti-style KAWS tattoo is perfect. Bold outlines, spray-paint effects, and a street-inspired vibe make this a standout piece for the bicep or leg.
5. Melting Heart KAWS Tattoo – A Drip of Emotion
A melting heart tattoo in the KAWS style symbolizes the fragility of love and emotions. With dripping ink and surreal detail, it’s a striking choice for the chest or shoulder.
6. Abstract KAWS Lines – The Crossed-Out Identity
Minimalist yet powerful, this fine-line tattoo focuses on X-eyes and abstract strokes. Ideal for the wrist or behind the ear, it speaks to identity, rebellion, and artistic simplicity.
7. KAWS Skull Companion – Inked Remembrance
The skull design captures the darker side of KAWS art. It symbolizes mortality, memory, and inner strength, making it a bold upper-back tattoo in black and grey realism.
8. Floating Companion KAWS Tattoo – Beyond Gravity
This surreal tattoo shows the Companion floating, representing freedom and release from burdens. It’s best inked on the thigh or ribs for larger detail.
9. KAWS Hands Tattoo – Silent Expressions
Hands often say more than words, and a tattoo of the KAWS gloved hands delivers a unique meaning: quiet strength, hidden emotions, and expression without sound. Perfect for the forearm.
10. Cartoon Chaos KAWS Tattoo – The Playful Edge
This colorful tattoo embraces the cartoonish style of KAWS while adding a chaotic twist. It reflects playfulness, energy, and creative madness, making it a strong shoulder tattoo.
11. Minimalist KAWS X Tattoo – Quiet Rebellion
A tiny, minimalist tattoo of crossed-out eyes is subtle but rebellious. Often placed on the wrist or neck, it represents individuality, resistance, and self-expression.
12. KAWS Color Splash Tattoo – Urban Ink Explosion
This tattoo features splashes of vibrant colors around a KAWS figure, symbolizing urban energy and the explosion of creativity. It’s a fantastic chest or back piece.
13. Shattered Companion KAWS Tattoo – Fragmented Soul
A tattoo of a fragmented Companion figure represents struggle, healing, and rebuilding oneself. Placed on the ribcage or thigh, it delivers a powerful emotional statement.
14. KAWS Masked Figure Tattoo – Hidden Truths
This design reflects the parts of ourselves that we keep hidden. A masked KAWS tattoo is about secrets, inner strength, and survival. Great placement options include the upper arm or calf.
15. KAWS Galaxy Tattoo – Cosmic Companionship
Combining the iconic KAWS figure with stars and galaxies, this tattoo connects art with the infinite universe. It works best as a back tattoo, where space allows for detailed shading.
16. Melancholy Companion KAWS Tattoo – The Sad Icon
A seated, sad KAWS Companion tattoo embodies loneliness, reflection, and melancholy. Best placed on the forearm, it resonates deeply with those who value emotional honesty.
17. KAWS Flame Tattoo – Burning Through Silence
The flame tattoo represents inner fire, passion, and transformation, paired with the iconic KAWS figure. This bold design shines on the calf or thigh.
18. Toy Story KAWS Mashup Tattoo – Childhood Reimagined
For fans of pop culture, this mashup combines Toy Story characters with KAWS artistry, reflecting childhood memories reimagined in ink. A colorful thigh tattoo makes it unforgettable.
19. KAWS Angel Tattoo – Inked Guardian with X-Eyes
The angelic KAWS tattoo symbolizes protection, hope, and resilience. Featuring wings and X-eyes, this piece looks stunning on the chest or back.
20. Drifting Away KAWS Tattoo – The Vanishing Companion
A dissolving Companion tattoo represents fading memories, letting go, and transformation. Best suited for the forearm, it makes for a visually dramatic piece.
Final Thoughts
A KAWS tattoo is more than just body art—it’s a statement of identity, creativity, and connection to pop culture. Whether you choose a minimalist X-eye or a bold, colorful BFF design, these tattoos bring out the best of both street art and personal expression.
From broken dreams to cosmic companions, each design tells a story inked on skin. If you’re planning your next tattoo, one of these 20 unique KAWS tattoo ideas could be the perfect inspiration.
