Cartoons in Street Art

In April 2019, KAWS made headlines when his painting The KAWS Album (2005)—a visual mash-up of characters from The Simpsons and the record cover from The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band—sold for nearly 15 million at auction, the street artist’s highest valued piece to date. But KAWS is far from alone in his love of cartoons. Since Keith Haring began tagging New York City’s subways in the 1980s, street artists have found inspiration in comic book creatures, recreating Mickey Mouse, Snoopy, Pink Panther, and other childhood favorites in their unique styles. Below, discover a variety of cartoon-inspired street art—from early prints by Haring to fresh paintings by emerging talents.