Summary
Chum (2022) is an open edition vinyl figure released through KAWSONE on August 9, 2022, marking twenty years since the original limited Chum figure of 2002. Chum is KAWS's inflated character — a puffy, segmented body derived from the Michelin Man, topped with the artist's skull-and-crossbones head and X eyes. The 2022 release was the first time this style of Chum had been produced in two decades, issued in five colorways: black, white, pink, orange, and yellow. Each figure measures 11.6 by 7.7 by 3.5 inches, retailed at $280, and shipped in a KAWS-branded protective box. The white version is the cleanest of the five, rendering the character in a single pale tone with grey detailing.
Why It Matters
Chum occupies a specific place in KAWS's practice: it began as a subversion of a corporate mascot and became a recurring subject of his paintings, including the large CHUM canvases featured in the KAWS: WHAT PARTY museum survey at the Brooklyn Museum in 2021. The 2022 vinyl put a character long locked behind four-figure vintage prices back within reach at retail, and the anniversary framing ties it directly to the 2002 original — a bridge between early KAWS scarcity and the open edition era.
Collector Perspective
WorthPoint sold-listing data shows 41 sales for the white Chum, with a median of $290, essentially at the $280 retail, and a latest recorded sale in December 2025. Results run from $50 for loose or damaged figures to $375 for sealed examples. That tight band is typical of recent open editions: supply met demand at release, so condition and packaging drive what premium exists. White trades at higher volume than the orange and pink colorways, making it the most liquid entry point into the 2022 Chum set.
FAQ
What does the Chum figure depict?
Chum is KAWS's inflated character, derived from the Michelin Man's segmented, puffy body and topped with KAWS's signature skull-and-crossbones head with X eyes. The character dates to the late 1990s in KAWS's paintings and first appeared as a figure in 2002.
What is the edition size of Chum (2022)?
It is an unnumbered open edition — KAWS did not publish a production quantity and no figure carries an edition number. Supply was set by the KAWSONE ordering window on August 9, 2022, when all five colorways released at once at $280 each.
Is the 2022 Chum signed by KAWS?
No. Open edition figures are not individually signed. Authentic examples rely on molded copyright markings and the KAWS-branded box rather than a signature.
How do I know a 2022 Chum is authentic?
Counterfeits followed this release quickly. Check the crispness of the copyright stamping, the seam work on the inflated body segments, and the box printing quality. Because the figure trades near retail, deep-discount listings are a warning sign — buy from a trusted dealer who guarantees authenticity.
How does the 2022 Chum relate to the original 2002 Chum?
The 2022 release marked the 20th anniversary of the 2002 limited Chum and was the first production of this figure style since. The original is a scarce, expensive vintage piece; the 2022 open edition made the same character available at retail scale, in five colorways including this white.