7 Things to Know About Keith Haring

Keith Haring is one of the top names in the Pop Art scene. Born in Pennsylvania, Haring quickly rose to fame, gaining public attention for his chalk drawings in New York subway stations. He is recognised for his unique artistic style - his bold lines and bright colours.

His artwork was not only accessible to the public but conveyed important messages about social issues. Let’s learn more about him and his work. If you’re looking for some interesting facts about Keith Haring, read on for our Keith Haring fact file.

1 - Haring Created Over 50 Public Artworks

• He painted ‘Crack is Wack’ mural on a handball court wall in Harlem to raise awareness about drug addiction/ the crack cocaine epidemic.
• His 700-foot-long mural at Woodhull Hospital was a gift to honour the hospital's dedication to AIDS research and treatment.
• He painted a mural on the Berlin Wall as an act of protest, expressing his views against borders.

2 - He Was an Advocate for LGBTQ+ Rights

Being openly gay himself, Haring was a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, exploring themes of gay rights, homophobia and the aids epidemic in his artwork. 'Once Upon a Time' is a notable piece by Haring that celebrated gay rights.

He painted this in the bathroom of the Lesbian and Gay Community Services Center in New York, promoting sexual freedom. One of his most famous pieces, Ignorance = Fear and Silence = Death, directly addressed the stigma associated with aids, and why it was so important to raise awareness and take action.

When he was diagnosed with AIDS himself in 1988, Haring set up the Keith Haring Foundation to support AIDS organisations – but more about this in our next point…

3 - He Created the Keith Haring Foundation

Haring established the Keith Haring Foundation in 1989. This foundation focuses on providing funds and support to organisations that work with those affected by HIV/ AIDS and those that work with children.

His legacy lives on through this foundation, maintaining his artwork and archive and supporting non-profit organisations. This means that even in death, Haring continues to support the underprivileged and those with HIV/ AIDS.

4 - He Has Been Arrested... Numerous Times

Haring produced countless subway drawings between 1980 and 1985. Although these were painted on unused advertising spaces, this was considered vandalism by the authorities – and he was arrested or ticketed for vandalism many times. However, these arrests did not stop Haring from producing public artwork - he believed that the subway was the ideal space to produce artwork and engage with the public.

He continued to produce artwork on subway walls - sometimes up to 40 drawings a day. His 'Crack is Wack' mural in Harlem led to his arrest too. He painted this without prior permission from the relevant authorities. He faced potential jail time, but after pleading guilty, he simply paid a fine.

5 - He Opened His Own Shop - The Pop Shop

Haring opened the Pop Shop in SoHo, Manhattan, in order to make his art more accessible. The Pop Shop was a place for anybody, from children to grandparents, to enjoy his artwork. He said, “The Pop Shop makes my work accessible. It’s about participation on a big level”.

At the shop, you could find posters, T-shirts and other items featuring Haring's iconic symbols. He ensured that the prices were affordable for all, with some pieces going for just 50 cents. The original Pop Shop in New York was open until 2005.

6 - He Was Influenced by Warhol and Basquiat

Who influenced Keith Haring? Haring was influenced by many artists and figures, most notably Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Haring and Basquiat were both a part of the 80's New York art scene and quickly became friends. They collaborated on artwork together, exploring themes such as race and identity. Haring even kept one of Basquiat's paintings in his bedroom.

When Basquiat died in 1988, Haring wrote a draft article for Vogue explaining the impact that he had had on him. Warhol also had a significant influence on Haring and his art, becoming a mentor figure to him.

Warhol's style rubbed off on Haring, and Haring began to use recognisable symbols just like Warhol did. Keith Haring was also inspired by Dr. Seuss and Disney characters as a child. He was passionate about cartoons and learned basic cartooning skills from a young age.

7 - He Died At The Young Age Of 31

Keith Haring died in 1990, aged 31, due to complications related to aids. He was diagnosed with HIV in 1988, and his health began to deteriorate. Despite this, Haring continued to create art.

His memorial service was held on the 4th of May, 1990 - what would have been his 32nd birthday. Over 1,000 people attended the service, including the likes of the New York City Mayor (David Dinkins), and many other political figures and artists.

Another extra fun fact – Yoko Ono claimed to have spoken to his spirit after he died… According to Yoko Ono, Keith Haring posthumously told her to take his ashes to Paris… “You know, I have a psychic side, so ghosts and spirits whisper to me. At the hill, they were giving out parts of the bones to people, and I received a toe. I put it in my pocket and thought what am I going to do with it. And suddenly Keith whispered, Keep it, hold it, I’ll tell you what to do. So I said OK. Then I went home and Keith said he would like me to take it to Paris and put in an obelisk. And I did.” – Yoko Ono

We hope you enjoyed learning about these interesting Keith Haring facts!