Keith Haring: the genius of street art

ART

Keith Haring: the genius of street art

Photo credit: Keith Haring

Text: Kate Max

May 13 2023

SHARE THE ARTICLE

Keith Haring (1958-1990) was an American artist known for his bold and colorful artworks that addressed social and political issues of his time. Haring rose to fame in the 1980s as a champion of the street art movement, using public spaces like subways, sidewalks, and buildings as his canvas. His distinctive style, characterized by simple forms, bold lines, and vibrant colors, became a visual shorthand for the era of cultural and political upheaval in which he lived.

Haring was born in Reading, Pennsylvania, and grew up in nearby Kutztown. From an early age, he showed a talent for drawing and painting, and was encouraged by his parents to pursue a career in art. He attended the Ivy School of Professional Art in Pittsburgh before moving to New York City in 1978 to study at the School of Visual Arts.

It was in New York that Haring first encountered the world of street art, and began to develop his signature style. Inspired by the work of graffiti artists, he began to create his own vivid, cartoon-like figures, often incorporating symbolic elements that reflected his interest in pop culture, mythology, and social justice. Haring’s work quickly gained a following on the streets of New York, with his subway drawings and mural projects becoming fixtures of the city’s downtown scene.

In 1981, Haring held his first solo exhibition at the Westbeth Painters Space, which included his iconic Radiant Baby drawings. The show was a critical and commercial success, and helped to launch Haring’s career as a gallery artist. Over the next few years, he exhibited his work in galleries and museums around the world, including the Whitney Museum of American Art, the São Paulo Biennial, and the Venice Biennale.

As Haring’s fame grew, so did his commitment to using his art to promote social justice and awareness. He was also involved in numerous philanthropic projects, including the establishment of the Keith Haring Foundation in 1989 to fund AIDS research and support children’s art education.

Throughout his career, Haring devoted much of his time to public works, which often carried social messages. He produced more than 50 public artworks between 1982 and 1989, in dozens of cities around the world, many of which were created for charities, hospitals, children’s day care centers and orphanages.

The now famous Crack is Wack mural of 1986 has become a landmark along New York’s FDR Drive:

Other projects include:

a mural created for the 100th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty in 1986, on which Haring worked with 900 children

a mural on the exterior of Necker Children’s Hospital in Paris, France in 1987

a mural painted on the western side of the Berlin Wall three years before its fall

a mural “We Are The Youth” in Philadelphia

a Tuttomondo mural in Pisa

a Untitled (The Boxers) sculpture in Berlin

Tragically, Haring’s life was cut short in 1990 when he died from AIDS-related complications at the age of 31. In his short career, however, he left a lasting impact on the art world and on popular culture. His bold, graphic style and his commitment to using his art for social change continue to inspire successive generations of artists today.

In recent years, Haring’s legacy has been celebrated in numerous retrospectives and exhibitions around the world, including a major show at the Tate Liverpool in 2019.

The enduring appeal of his work can be seen in its continued popularity as a source of inspiration for contemporary artists, as well as in its appropriation by the fashion and design industries, where Haring’s iconic imagery has become a global brand.

COMMENT

LEAVE A COMMENT

Actually, this article could
be in your email

Featured materials from FOXYLAB MAGAZINE
are available in our newsletters.
Subscribe and get a dose of inspiration!

SHARE THE ARTICLE

more articles

 

Since few seasons we have been assisting the triumphal comeback of denim. Behind this fashion trend there is mainly one man, The Perfect Designer of the Year according to Katie Granthe, Glenn Martens.

ART

This article is about his artistic path, friendship with Andy Warhol, his relationship with Madonna, the tragic addition to the “27 Club” and his current relevance to the NFT.

ART

Stress as a trigger to the emergence of the surrealistic digital collages. Spanish couple co creates art as a way to survive.

New York’s Gilder Center of American Museum of Natural History is now open. Stunning architectural wonders, fresh exhibitions, and immersive encounters…

Step into the world of Kachorovska’s Cherilyn, where unique enhancements combine style and comfort effortlessly…

logo form

want to share your story
with the world?

We're open to collaborating with creative and talented individuals like you. Leave us your email below, and let's connect for interviews, articles, and more.

don’t miss!

New drop
foxylab ny x Edward Acosta

New drop FXLB x Edward Acosta

A thin edge of seduction and the consumerism fetish is thoroughly blurred in Acosta’s art in the use of both light, and dark tones. Bold lines serve as a fashionable juxtaposition of a peaceful dream-like state and a vivid color, representing action and presence in the moment.

black tee awaken

OVERSIZED BLACK TEE

$160

white pullover dress awaken

WHITE FLEECE DRESS

$230

BLACK FLEECE DRESS

$230

black fleece pullover awaken

BLACK FLEECE PULLOVER

$260

white tee awaken

WHITE TEE

$160

 

Since few seasons we have been assisting the triumphal comeback of denim. Behind this fashion trend there is mainly one man, The Perfect Designer of the Year according to Katie Granthe, Glenn Martens.

ART

This article is about his artistic path, friendship with Andy Warhol, his relationship with Madonna, the tragic addition to the “27 Club” and his current relevance to the NFT.

ART

Stress as a trigger to the emergence of the surrealistic digital collages. Spanish couple co creates art as a way to survive.

New York’s Gilder Center of American Museum of Natural History is now open. Stunning architectural wonders, fresh exhibitions, and immersive encounters…