Keith Haring American artist, sculptor and social activist Date of Birth: 04.05.1958 Country: USA

Biography of Keith Haring

Keith Haring was an American artist, sculptor, and social activist. While not as widely known as Madonna, Yoko Ono, or Andy Warhol, his name is recognized by almost all specialists in contemporary art and activists. So, what made Keith Haring famous and important from a socio-political perspective?

Keith Allen Haring was born on May 4, 1958, in Reading, Pennsylvania, to engineer and artist Allen Haring and his wife Joan. He spent some time in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. Haring developed an interest in drawing at a young age, which only grew stronger over time. From 1976 to 1978, he studied applied arts in Pittsburgh but eventually grew tired of the practicality of the field. He moved to New York and began studying painting. Although Haring's style, which involved conveying important messages to society, was seen as primitive by his professors, he gained his first taste of fame through a series of works in the subway in 1980.

In 1980, Haring started exhibiting at Club 57, and his exhibitions were photographed by Tseng Kwong Chi. It was during this time that Haring developed his signature symbol, the "Radiant Child." His distinct style, characterized by vibrant colors, bold lines, and a love for various messages, particularly about love and unity, made him stand out among his peers. He participated in the Times Square Exhibition, where he first began drawing animals and human faces. In the same year, Haring orchestrated a provocative campaign by plastering collages made from New York Post headlines all over the city.

In 1981, Haring started drawing with chalk on black paper and began experimenting with plastic and metal. By 1982, he had formed close friendships with fellow emerging artists such as Futura-2000, Kenny Scharf, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Madonna. From 1982 to 1989, Haring created over 50 public works in several cities worldwide. Some of his drawings were inspired by Andy Warhol, with whom Haring was acquainted. It is believed that his friendship with Warhol greatly contributed to Haring's fame, although it became more widely known after both artists' deaths.

Haring's international recognition grew over time. In 1984, he visited Australia, where he adorned several walls in Melbourne and Sydney with marvelous murals. He also received commissions from the National Gallery of Victoria and the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art. In Rio de Janeiro, Paris's Museum of Modern Art, Minneapolis, and Manhattan, Haring left his artistic mark. He also collaborated with old friends, designing the jacket worn by Madonna, with a pink wig, during her performance of "Like a Virgin" on the television show "Solid Gold."

In July 1987, Keith Haring was diagnosed with AIDS. He began receiving alpha-interferon treatment in 1989. Haring was open about his diagnosis, and it became an important part of his public image. Many knew that he had come to terms with his impending death, which significantly influenced his artwork. Keith Haring passed away on February 16, 1990, due to complications from AIDS.