Summary
Clean Slate (Black) is a 2018 open edition vinyl figure, 14 inches tall, released December 9, 2018 through the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth's shop in partnership with KAWSONE at $480 retail. It depicts a Companion striding forward carrying two smaller, infant-scale Companions, one in each arm — a parental image unusual in KAWS's catalog. The vinyl is a scale reduction of CLEAN SLATE, the 21-foot bronze the Modern acquired in 2018, which stands over the museum's pond. The release came in three colorways — monochrome grey, brown, and all black — with the black version rendering all three figures in a single unified black. It is the largest and highest-priced figure in the 2018 named-sculpture releases, and like all open editions it is unnumbered.
Why It Matters
Clean Slate is the rare KAWS release tied directly to a museum acquisition: the vinyl dropped alongside the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth taking the monumental bronze into its permanent collection, giving the figure institutional anchoring most vinyl toys lack. Thematically, the caretaker pose extends the relational turn that began with Together — the Companion here protects rather than mourns. The larger 14-inch scale and $480 price point also positioned it as the flagship of the named-sculpture line.
Collector Perspective
Our WorthPoint analysis records 36 sales for the black Clean Slate at a median of $865 — the strongest median in this group and a solid premium over $480 retail. The range runs $250 to $1,400, with the latest sale logged November 2025. Demand is driven by the museum-bronze connection, the larger sculpt, and a tighter original distribution than the standard KAWSONE drops, since it released through the Modern's channels. Complete boxed examples dominate the upper half of the range; loose figures account for most sales below $500.
FAQ
What does Clean Slate depict?
A Companion figure walking forward while carrying two infant-sized Companions, one in each arm. It is a direct scale-down of the 21-foot bronze CLEAN SLATE in the collection of the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.
What is the edition size of Clean Slate (Black)?
No edition size was published — it is an unnumbered open edition. It released December 9, 2018 through the Modern's shop and online in grey, brown, and black colorways.
Is Clean Slate (Black) signed by KAWS?
No, the figure is not individually signed. Authentic examples carry molded production and copyright markings; the connection to KAWS is through the sanctioned production, not a signature.
How concerned should I be about fakes?
Clean Slate's price point makes it a target for counterfeiters. Examine the molded markings, joint fit where the small figures meet the arms, and box printing, and buy from a trusted dealer who documents sourcing and guarantees authenticity.
Why was Clean Slate released through a museum instead of KAWSONE?
The release coincided with the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth acquiring the monumental bronze version in 2018. The vinyl edition was sold through the museum's store and site as part of that partnership, which is also why distribution was tighter than typical KAWSONE drops.