Keith Haring

Keith Haring (1958-90) was one of the most renowned of the young artists, filmmakers, performers and musicians whose work responded to urban street culture of the 1980s. Inspired by the graffiti artists whose tags covered the city’s subway cars, Haring began to draw in white chalk over the black paper used to cover vacant advertising panels. Not only was Haring was able to reach a large and diverse audience with his subway drawings, but, eventually, the subway became, as Haring said, a “laboratory” for working out his ideas. As early as 1980, Haring began exhibiting in galleries and museums around the world, but continued to participate in public projects, including literacy campaigns and anti-AIDS initiatives.

Before his death, Keith Haring established a foundation in his name to maintain and enhance his legacy of giving to children’s and AIDS organizations. Throughout his career, Haring produced murals, sculptures and paintings to benefit hospitals, underprivileged children’s groups and various community health organizations. The foundation is also committed to sustaining and expanding public awareness of Keith Haring.

By working with museums, galleries, publishers and art education programs, the foundation is able to provide information and artwork to the public that might otherwise remain unexplored in archives. Keith Haring died of AIDS in New York in February 1990, at the age of 31.