What is the KAWS Passing Through figure? Passing Through is a 2010 KAWS Companion sculpture depicting the figure lying face down with its head buried in folded arms — a contemplative, horizontal pose introduced at a monumental scale for Brooklyn Bridge Park and Modern Art Oxford, later released as vinyl collectibles in 11-inch and 28-inch editions by Medicom Toy. It is widely considered the most emotionally resonant pose in the KAWS catalog.
Origin: The 2010 Debut
By 2010, Brian Donnelly — the New Jersey-born artist (b. 1974, Jersey City) who works as KAWS — had already cemented Companion as the central character in his visual universe. But every prior pose had been vertical: standing, seated, hands-over-face. Passing Through changed the grammar.
The work depicts Companion lying face down, head buried in folded arms — a posture borrowed from grief, exhaustion, and contemplation in equal measure. It was first realized as a 16-foot monumental sculpture installed at Brooklyn Bridge Park as part of a presentation by the Public Art Fund in early 2010, then traveled to Modern Art Oxford for KAWS's first major UK museum exhibition the same year.
The Symbolic Reading
Critics and curators have read Passing Through as KAWS's most overtly emotional work. The pose sits between life and death — a Companion that could be resting, weeping, or no longer breathing. Where Companion (Resting Place) sat upright and contained, Passing Through collapses the figure into the ground itself. The horizontal silhouette transforms public space: viewers walk around the work the way they would a memorial.
The Editions: Vinyl Releases
Following the monumental debut, Medicom Toy released Passing Through as vinyl collectibles in two principal sizes. These editions are the realistic entry points for collectors who will never own a 16-foot bronze.
| Size | Colorway | Year | Producer | Edition Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 inch | Black | 2010 | Medicom Toy / OriginalFake | Open vinyl edition, sold through OriginalFake Tokyo |
| 11 inch | Grey | 2010 | Medicom Toy / OriginalFake | Open vinyl edition, sold through OriginalFake Tokyo |
| 11 inch | Brown | 2010 | Medicom Toy / OriginalFake | Open vinyl edition, sold through OriginalFake Tokyo |
| 28 inch | Black | 2013 | Medicom Toy | Larger format vinyl, limited production |
| 28 inch | Grey | 2013 | Medicom Toy | Larger format vinyl, limited production |
| 28 inch | Brown | 2013 | Medicom Toy | Larger format vinyl, limited production |
| 16 ft / 1:1 | Painted bronze / fiberglass | 2010+ | Studio editions / institutional | Installation scale, museum and public presentations |
OriginalFake Provenance
The 11-inch vinyl editions are particularly significant because they were retailed through OriginalFake, the Aoyama, Tokyo flagship KAWS operated with Medicom Toy from 2006 until its closure in 2013. Every OriginalFake-era release sits inside a finite, permanently closed window. That closure is now a structural feature of the secondary market — supply cannot expand.
Secondary Market: Documented Sales
Gauntlet Gallery's 160,000+ comparable sales database tracks Passing Through across the major auction houses (Phillips, Sotheby's, Heritage), specialist resellers, and verified marketplace authentications. The figures below reflect documented secondary-market ranges observed across 2022 through Q2 2026.
| Edition | Documented Secondary Range | Market Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 11 in Black | Mid four-figure range | Most commonly transacted colorway; benchmark for the size |
| 11 in Grey | Mid four-figure range | Comparable to Black; slight premium when sealed in original packaging |
| 11 in Brown | Mid four-figure range | Often the least-circulated of the three; collector demand for full sets |
| 28 in Black | Five-figure range | Larger format commands a significant step-up; demand exceeds documented supply |
| 28 in Grey | Five-figure range | Comparable trajectory to Black; condition-sensitive |
| 28 in Brown | Five-figure range | Strong scarcity signal in recent auction cycles |
Prices reflect documented secondary market activity. Sealed-in-box, complete original packaging, and verified provenance commands a premium above unsealed examples. Damaged or restored figures trade at material discounts.
Why Passing Through Matters in the KAWS Catalog
KAWS's auction record stands at $14.7 million for The KAWS Album, set at Sotheby's Hong Kong in April 2019 — a result that recalibrated how the entire contemporary collectibles market is appraised. Passing Through does not approach those numbers as a vinyl edition, and that is precisely the point. It functions as the accessible doorway into the catalog's most emotionally serious work.
The Pose Is the Asset
Among collectors, three KAWS poses are routinely cited as the most resonant: Resting Place, Together, and Passing Through. Of those three, Passing Through is the only one realized at true monumental public-art scale across multiple international institutions. The pose itself — vulnerable, horizontal, contemplative — is the asset.
Condition Drivers
- Sealed packaging — original Medicom box, undamaged, with all inserts
- Surface condition — no scuffs, no oxidation on the painted surface (matte finishes are condition-sensitive)
- Provenance documentation — OriginalFake receipt, original retail bag, or verified collector chain
- Display history — figures shown for extended periods under direct light show fading; this is detectable
Authentication: What to Verify
The Passing Through vinyl editions are heavily counterfeited, particularly the 11-inch black colorway. Authentication relies on multiple converging signals rather than any single mark.
- Base markings — verify the embossed "KAWS" signature, copyright line, and Medicom Toy production stamp on the underside
- Vinyl weight and feel — authentic Medicom vinyl has a distinct density; lightweight or hollow-feeling pieces are flagged
- Paint application — clean, matte, even surfaces; counterfeits often show overspray or glossy patches
- Packaging registration — print quality on the original Medicom box is high; misaligned graphics or color shifts indicate a reproduction
- Provenance chain — OriginalFake-era pieces ideally trace back to the Aoyama flagship
For a broader framework on KAWS authentication, edition structures, and the OriginalFake era, see our companion guide: The Complete KAWS Collector Guide.
Buying Passing Through Through Gauntlet Gallery
Gauntlet Gallery, founded in 2012, specializes in vetted secondary-market KAWS Companions, prints, and OriginalFake-era vinyl. Every Passing Through example we list is authenticated against our 160,000+ comparable sales database, with documented provenance and condition photography.
Browse Available KAWS Inventory →
Frequently Asked Questions
When was KAWS Passing Through first released?
The Passing Through sculpture debuted in 2010 as a monumental installation at Brooklyn Bridge Park (Public Art Fund) and Modern Art Oxford. The 11-inch vinyl edition followed the same year through OriginalFake, with the 28-inch vinyl arriving in 2013.
What sizes does the Passing Through vinyl come in?
The two principal vinyl sizes are 11 inches (2010) and 28 inches (2013). Both were produced by Medicom Toy. The 1:1 monumental scale (approximately 16 feet) exists only as installation editions for institutional and public-art contexts.
What colorways were released?
Three colorways exist for both the 11-inch and 28-inch vinyl editions: Black, Grey, and Brown. Sets of all three are particularly sought after at the 28-inch scale.
Is Passing Through a good investment?
Passing Through has shown steady secondary-market appreciation since the 2013 closure of OriginalFake permanently capped supply. Documented sales across major auction houses and verified resale platforms show consistent demand, especially for the 28-inch examples and for sealed, complete-packaging 11-inch pieces. Authentication and condition are the primary value drivers.
How do I authenticate a Passing Through figure?
Verification relies on base markings (KAWS signature, copyright, Medicom production stamp), vinyl weight and density, paint application quality, packaging print registration, and provenance chain. Gauntlet Gallery authenticates every Passing Through against our 160,000+ comparable sales database before listing.