Keith Harring - Learn About the Artist in 60 Seconds

Keith Haring

Keith Haring made art first and foremost for the people.

December 01, 2022

When Keith Haring died in 1990, friends, fellow artists and fans turned out in the thousands to honour the 31 year old.

Keith started out drawing his cookie cutter figures in chalk on blacked out subway adverts. His popularity grew alongside his arrest record and fines. The artworld took notice of the rising star of the New York City underground. But his art was first and foremost for the people.

Painting of cartoon figures posing as the Three Wise Monkeys, with the text "Ignorance = Fear", "Silence = Death" and "Fight AIDS act up" written — Ignorance = Fear, 1989

The Pop Shop was an extension of his desire to make art more accessible – selling prints and merch for those who couldn’t get originals.

Throughout his career and until his untimely death from AIDS, Keith supported many social and political causes. He used art to raise awareness for the AIDS epidemic, promote safe sex and call for an end to injustice everywhere.

Painting of cartoon figures holding a crack pipe underneath a large foot with the tect "Crack down!" surrounding — Crack Down!, 1986

Black line painting of cartoon figures dancing as being abducted by a UFO on white background — Untitles, 1980

Painting of red cartoon dogs barking at each other in a room with an orange floor and yellow walls — Pop Shop IV, 1989

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