The KAWS CHUM figure is a vinyl collectible designed by Brian Donnelly (KAWS) that reinterprets the Michelin Man (Bibendum) mascot with the artist's signature X-eyes, rotund segmented body, and subversive pop sensibility. First released as a vinyl figure in 2002, CHUM is rarer in production than Companion and commands strong premiums in the secondary market.
What Is the KAWS CHUM Figure?
CHUM is one of the foundational characters in the KAWS universe, alongside Companion, Accomplice, BFF, and Bendy. Where Companion riffs on Mickey Mouse, CHUM hijacks Bibendum — the Michelin Man — turning a corporate tire mascot into a piece of contemporary art commentary. The character traces back to KAWS's late-1990s and early-2000s street interventions, where Brian Donnelly (born 1974, Jersey City, NJ) famously defaced Michelin and other transit advertisements with his X-eye glyphs and skull-and-crossbones overlays.
The vinyl figure debut in 2002 transformed those guerilla interventions into a standalone collectible. The cream/beige original colorway remains the most recognizable CHUM, and the silhouette — stacked tire-like rings, gloved hands, X-eyes — immediately reads as both Bibendum homage and KAWS canon.
Why CHUM Matters in the KAWS Catalog
- Cultural commentary: CHUM is the most explicit example of KAWS appropriating a corporate mascot, a thread that runs through his entire practice.
- Production scarcity: CHUM editions have historically been produced in smaller runs than Companion releases.
- Origin proximity: The character is rooted in the original street-art Michelin ad interventions, giving it a documented art-historical lineage.
- Catalog importance: Major KAWS retrospectives (Brooklyn Museum, NGV) consistently include CHUM as a foundational figure.
CHUM Vinyl Figure Releases — Documented History
Below is a high-level overview of documented CHUM vinyl releases. Production volumes and exact edition sizes vary by release and are best verified against Medicom Toy, OriginalFake, and AllRightsReserved documentation. Gauntlet Gallery cross-references each consignment against our 160,000+ comparable sales database before grading market value.
| Release Era | Format | Notable Colorways | Producer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 debut | Vinyl figure, original scale | Cream / Beige (OG), Brown, Black | Bounty Hunter / KAWSONE era |
| Mid-2000s | Standard vinyl re-issues & size variants | Grey, Red, Blue accents | OriginalFake / Medicom Toy |
| 2010s | 4FT & large-format CHUM editions | Black, Grey, White | AllRightsReserved (AAR) / Medicom Toy |
| 2020s | Anniversary & gallery reissues | Multiple, including monochrome reissues | AllRightsReserved / Medicom Toy |
Original 2002 Cream/Beige CHUM
The OG CHUM colorway is the most coveted. Its cream/beige finish directly echoes the off-white Bibendum rubber tone, sealing the Michelin reference. Documented secondary market sales for sealed, mint-condition OG CHUM figures have consistently outperformed comparable Companion releases from the same era, reflecting CHUM's lower production volume.
Secondary Market Dynamics
The KAWS collectibles market exceeds $200 million in annual auction and resale volume, with vinyl figures forming a structural core alongside prints, plush, and large-scale sculpture. Within that market, CHUM consistently sells at a premium relative to comparably sized Companion figures from the same release window. The premium is driven by three structural factors:
- Lower production volumes — CHUM editions are historically smaller than Companion releases.
- Cultural commentary value — the Michelin/Bibendum reference is one of the most documented appropriation moments in KAWS's catalog.
- Closed eras — OriginalFake closed in 2013, permanently sealing certain CHUM editions as a finite pool.
Premium Drivers by Size and Colorway
| Variable | Secondary Market Impact |
|---|---|
| Original 2002 vs. reissue | OG releases command meaningfully higher premiums than later reissues. |
| Cream/Beige OG vs. later colorways | OG colorway typically trades at the top of the CHUM market. |
| Standard vs. 4FT large-format | Large-format CHUMs trade at multiples of standard scale due to scarcity and display impact. |
| Sealed vs. opened | Sealed, mint-condition examples command documented premiums; original box and accessories are required for top-tier valuations. |
| Provenance | Verified provenance through reputable galleries or original retailers materially impacts realized price. |
CHUM vs. Companion — Why CHUM Commands a Premium
Companion is the most recognizable KAWS character and the volume leader of the catalog. CHUM is the scarcer cousin. For collectors building a foundational KAWS vinyl set, CHUM is the structurally rarer acquisition. The cultural commentary on corporate mascots — Mickey for Companion, Bibendum for CHUM — is most explicit in CHUM, which gives it both art-historical weight and market scarcity. Per Gauntlet Gallery's 160,000+ comparable sales database, CHUM figures consistently outperform same-era Companions on a per-edition basis.
Authentication Notes
KAWS is among the most heavily counterfeited living artists. Estimated counterfeit rates on open marketplaces run 40–60% for vinyl figures, with new fakes appearing within 72 hours of any major drop. Before purchasing any CHUM figure on the secondary market, verify:
- Original sealed packaging with correct era-appropriate Medicom Toy / OriginalFake / AAR markings.
- Correct sculpt proportions — counterfeits frequently miss the segmented tire-ring geometry.
- Correct paint application on the cream/beige OG — off-tone yellows are a red flag.
- Verified provenance through a reputable secondary market specialist.
For a broader walkthrough of KAWS authentication across Companion, BFF, and CHUM, see our KAWS Collector Guide.
KAWS Market Context
KAWS's market peaked publicly with the $14.7 million sale of The KAWS Album at Sotheby's Hong Kong in April 2019, which formally repositioned KAWS from designer-toy phenomenon to blue-chip contemporary artist. That ceiling reset the floor for every category beneath it — including vinyl figures like CHUM. Subsequent collaborations with Dior, Uniqlo, the Brooklyn Museum, NGV, and the MoMA Design Store have reinforced institutional credibility while expanding the buyer base.
Building a CHUM Position
For collectors prioritizing CHUM, the structural priorities are:
- OG colorway first. The cream/beige 2002 release is the anchor of any CHUM collection.
- Sealed, mint, complete. Box, accessories, and unbroken seal are non-negotiable for top-tier valuations.
- Documented provenance. Insist on verified chain of custody.
- Large-format selectively. 4FT CHUMs add presence and scarcity but require dedicated display infrastructure.
Final Take
CHUM is the scarcer, more pointed cousin of Companion — rarer in production, more explicit in its corporate-mascot critique, and historically a stronger per-edition performer on the secondary market. For collectors building a foundational KAWS vinyl position, CHUM is a structural priority, not a side bet. Gauntlet Gallery has tracked KAWS comparables since our founding in 2012 and maintains one of the most granular authentication and valuation datasets in the segment.
Browse current KAWS inventory and request a private consignment valuation at gauntlet.gallery/collections/all.