Keith Haring
Keith Haring (1958 - 1990) was an American artist and social activist known for his pop art and graffiti inspired work. Haring moved to New York City in 1978 and...
Keith Haring (1958 - 1990) was an American artist and social activist known for his pop art and graffiti inspired work. Haring moved to New York City in 1978 and began to use the city as his literal canvas. Along with artists Kenny Scharf and Jean-Michel Basquiet, Haring immersed himself in the punk clubs and street art scene. Haring’s popularity led him to create large outdoor murals in cities such as Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Berlin, Melbourne, Chicago, and Atlanta. As a socially conscious individual, the murals Haring created generally raised awareness and reflected his position on social issues such as AIDS and drug use. The energetic, social, and public nature of Haring’s work allowed his artistic reach to expand into music videos, fashion design, and even community outreach. Unfortunately Haring’s extraordinary career was cut short by his battle with AIDS. Many of Haring’s public murals can still be seen today, such as his mural Crack is Wack (1986) along FDR Drive in Manhattan. Haring’s works also reside in museums around the world such as The Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C..