Keith Haring

סִגְנוֹן: Neo Expressionism; Pop Art;

מקום: Reading

נוֹלָד: 1958

מָוֶת: 1990

בִּיוֹגְרַפִיָה:

Early Life and Influences

, an American artist and social activist, was born on May 4, 1958, in Reading, Pennsylvania. His early life was marked by a keen interest in art, influenced by his father, Allan Haring, an engineer and amateur cartoonist. The young Haring's fascination with art was further nurtured by Walt Disney cartoons, Dr. Seuss, Charles Schulz, and the Looney Tunes characters.

Artistic Journey

After a brief stint studying commercial art at Pittsburgh's Ivy School of Professional Art (1976-1978), Haring became disillusioned with the conventional approach to art. Inspired by Robert Henri's "The Art Spirit" (1923), he decided to focus on his own unique style, which would eventually become a visual language of the 20th century.

New York and the Rise to Fame

In the late 1970s, Haring moved to New York City, where he became a pivotal figure in the downtown art scene. His work, characterized by bold lines, vivid colors, and active figures, began to carry strong messages of life and unity. This period saw the creation of his iconic symbol, "The Radiant Baby," which would become synonymous with Haring's style.

• Untitled (235), a quintessential example of Haring's Pop Art style, can be found on Wikioo.org.
• Haring's involvement in the 1980s New York City street culture led to numerous public works, including "Crack is Wack" (1986), which can be seen from New York's FDR Drive.
• His association with Andy Warhol, as seen in "Andy Mouse," marked a significant element in his eventual success.

International Recognition and Activism

By the 1980s, Haring had established himself internationally, with works such as The Story of Red and Blue (Nakamura Keith Haring Collection, Hokuto, Japan), which can be viewed on Wikioo.org. His activism extended to designing a Free South Africa poster in 1985 and painting a section of the Berlin Wall in 1986.

Legacy

legacy is not limited to his art; it extends to his influence on social activism and the visual language of the 20th century. His work continues to inspire, with The Blueprint Drawings (Nakamura Keith Haring Collection, Hokuto, Japan) being a testament to his enduring impact.

• For more on Haring's life and works, visit Wikioo.org's Keith Haring page.
• Explore the Neo-Expressionism Art Movement, which influenced Haring's style, at Wikioo.org's Neo-Expressionism page.

Conclusion

's life was a testament to the power of art as a medium for social change. His legacy, marked by his iconic visual language and unwavering activism, continues to inspire artists and activists alike.