POST 7: THEMED / FREE POST

AN ARTIST I ADMIRE

Keith Haring was an artist and activist popular in the New York art scene during the 1980s. While he is known for the energy and optimism of his art, his colorful works and iconic motifs, much of his work responded to contemporary social and political events.

Haring shared some of the labeling tactics of urban graffiti artists but was attracted by the possibilities of a new public, since he wanted to represent a new graphic style, more dynamic, simple and cartoonish. In 1981 he started drawing graffiti on the New York subway and although he sometimes got in trouble for drawing on the subway, he kept drawing because he wanted everyone to experience art on a daily basis, thats why many people loved his art because of his vivid figure and its activity blatantly outside the law.

Throughout his career, Haring devoted much of his time to public works, which often conveyed social messages. This included the battle to end Apartheid, raise awareness of sida and drug abuse. In addition to being an openly gay artist, he also wanted to represent the struggles of the LGBTQ community in his work and gay rights. In 1988, Haring became ill with  sida and because of this continued to draw and even made posters to tell people about disease. Before he died, created the Foundation to fund sida research and help children in need.