Overview

Keith Haring (1958–1990) was an American artist known for bold, graphic imagery that moved easily between the street and the gallery. Born in Reading, Pennsylvania and raised in nearby Kutztown, he studied briefly in Pittsburgh before relocating to New York in 1978 to attend the School of Visual Arts. There he began drawing with white chalk on unused advertising panels in the subway, creating quick, lively outlines that caught the eye of commuters and the art world alike.

 

Haring’s visual language of radiant babies, barking dogs, dancing figures, hearts and flying saucers was direct and accessible. He worked at speed and at scale, producing murals, posters and painted sculptures with thick black lines and flat, bright colours. Notable public works include the “Crack Is Wack” mural in Harlem (1986) and “Tuttomondo” in Pisa (1989). In 1986 he opened the Pop Shop to make his work affordable to a wider audience.

 

An advocate for social causes, he used his art to support AIDS awareness, anti-apartheid campaigns and children’s charities. Diagnosed with AIDS in 1988, he established the Keith Haring Foundation in 1989 to sustain his philanthropic work and legacy. He died in New York in 1990, aged 31, leaving an influential body of work that remains instantly recognisable.

 

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