Keith Haring

Date of Birth: May 4, 1958

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Date of Death: February 16, 1990

Biography

Keith Haring was an American artist and social activist whose work responded to the New York City street culture of the 1980s. Haring’s pop art and graffiti-like work grew out of the New York City street culture of the 1980s. He first gained attention with his chalk drawings in the subways of New York, known as subway drawings. These were his first recognized pieces of public art. Haring’s imagery has “become a widely recognized visual language”. His later work often addressed political and societal themes—such as AIDS awareness and apartheid—through complex compositions of figures and symbols. Keith Haring was born to Allen and Joan Haring. He developed an early interest in art, inspired by Disney cartoons and Dr. Seuss books. After a brief period at the Ivy School of Professional Art in Pittsburgh, he moved to New York City, where he enrolled in the School of Visual Arts (SVA). It was in New York that he discovered a thriving alternative art community that was developing outside the gallery and museum system, in the downtown streets, subways, and spaces in clubs and former dance halls. Haring’s work was often heavily political and his imagery has become a widely recognized visual language. His bold lines, vivid colors, and active figures carry strong messages of life, unity, and the fight against oppression. He was diagnosed with AIDS in 1988 and established the Keith Haring Foundation in 1989 to provide funding and imagery to AIDS organizations and children’s programs.

5 Interesting Facts about Keith Haring

1. Keith Haring was known for his public artworks, including over 50 public works between 1982 and 1989 in dozens of cities around the world.

2. He created a mural on the Berlin Wall in 1986, which symbolized the hope for unity between East and West Germany.

3. Haring’s art is characterized by its bright colors, bold lines, and active figures, making it easily recognizable.

4. He was openly gay and was a strong advocate for safe sex and AIDS awareness, often incorporating these themes into his artwork.

5. Haring’s legacy continues through the Keith Haring Foundation, which he established to support organizations working with disadvantaged children and those affected by AIDS.