Keith Haring (1958-1990) is synonymous with the New York street art scene that, from the early 1980s onwards, he played a key role in instigating. Haring’s belief that art should be for everybody inspired him to begin creating now-iconic works in subway stations and other public sites, while a strong sense of social justice saw him imbue his work with direct, easily understood statements. These included criticism of indifference to the HIV-AIDS crisis that was then claiming lives (including, ultimately, Haring’s own), and affirmations of hope for younger generations.
Through around 150 works, including large-scale pieces spanning up to six metres, this retrospective traces Haring’s journey from the underground scene to global celebrity, while demonstrating how his creativity remained a vibrant form of messaging that continues to resonate today. Unique to this exhibition is a rare look at Haring’s activity in late ’80s Tokyo, and the influence that Eastern thought and calligraphy had upon his work.
Text by Darren Gore