Summary
Chum (Pink) is a 2022 open edition vinyl figure produced through KAWS's own KAWSONE platform, standing 11.6 inches tall and retailing at $280. Chum is KAWS's inflated, Michelin Man-derived character — a puffed, segmented body with X-ed out eyes — first released as a signed vinyl edition of 1,000 in 2002. To mark the character's 20th anniversary, KAWS reissued Chum on August 9, 2022 in five colorways: black, white, pink, orange, and yellow. The pink version renders the entire figure in a single flat pink, with the sculpt's stacked, tire-like segments carrying the form. Each figure ships in a color-coded KAWS-branded box. As an open edition, pieces are unnumbered; production ran for the release window rather than to a fixed count.
Why It Matters
Chum is one of the few KAWS characters lifted directly from a corporate mascot, which puts it at the center of his appropriation practice — the same move that drove his early bus-shelter ad interventions. The 2022 reissue matters because it made a character previously locked behind a 1,000-piece 2002 edition broadly accessible, and it marked KAWS formalizing anniversary re-releases through KAWSONE. For collectors mapping the character canon, Chum sits alongside Companion and BFF as a core figure rather than a one-off.
Collector Perspective
Our WorthPoint sold-listing analysis shows 22 recorded sales for the pink Chum, with a median of $250 against a $280 retail — a range of roughly $180 to $600, with the most recent sale logged May 2026. That median sitting just under retail is typical of the 2022 anniversary set: supply was generous, so condition and complete color-coded packaging are what separate the $180 examples from the $600 ones. Pink and yellow trade thinner than black and white, so pricing is less settled sale to sale.
FAQ
What does the KAWS Chum figure depict?
Chum is KAWS's take on the Michelin Man — an inflated, segmented body topped with his signature skull-and-crossbones head and X-ed out eyes. The character first appeared in KAWS's paintings and became a vinyl figure in 2002.
What is the edition size of the 2022 pink Chum?
It is an open edition, so figures are unnumbered and no fixed edition size was published. KAWS produced the figure for the August 2022 release window through KAWSONE rather than capping it at a set count.
Is the pink Chum signed by KAWS?
No, open edition figures are not individually signed. Authentic examples carry molded copyright markings from the production run; the original 2002 Chum was the signed release, issued in an edition of 1,000.
How do I avoid fake Chum figures?
Counterfeits of KAWSONE open editions are common, and paint quality alone is not a reliable tell. Check the molded markings, the color-coded KAWS box, and buy from a dealer who documents sourcing and stands behind authenticity.
How is the 2022 Chum different from the 2002 original?
The 2002 Chum was a signed, limited edition of 1,000 in black only. The 2022 release is an unsigned open edition issued in five colorways — black, white, pink, orange, and yellow — as a 20th-anniversary tribute to the original.