Keith Haring is the 1980’s American pop art artist, graffiti artist, and social activist. He began to draw public spaces in New York, such as subway stations, poster space, and walls, with his chalk drawings. Haring’s works are colorful and full of iconic motifs. His works often respond to social issues, like the resistance against Apartheid, the battle to end the AIDS epidemic, and drug abuse.
Here we collect five of Keith Haring’s doodles and drawings that will brighten your day:
1. Untitled (1983)
Keith Haring, Untitled 1983 © Keith Haring Foundation. https://www.tate.org.uk
Haring loves to listen to hip-hop music while he was working. He visualizes hip-hop music in rhythmic lines and dance figures on his drawing. Untitled 1983 depicts some break-dancers who are so fun and full of energy.
2. Untitled (1980)
Keith Haring, Untitled 1980 © Keith Haring Foundation. https://www.tate.org.uk/
Some of Haring’s famous characters are crawling babies, barking dogs, and spaceships. Untitled 1980 portrays three figures dancing under the light of a spaceship. Haring’s works brought a smile to the viewers who walk past his works.
3. Untitled (1983) (Vinyl paint on tarpaulin)
Keith Haring, 1958–1990, Untitled 1983, Vinyl paint on tarpaulin, 3068 x 3020 mm, Collection of KAWS. https://www.tate.org.uk/kids/
Haring draws everywhere, from the station, children’s hospital, to the Berlin Wall. He also painted on vinyl tarpaulin, a mattress used by break-dancers as a surface for their performances. Untitled (1983) depicts a computer (or maybe television) that affects its audience.
4. Crack Down! (1986)
Keith Haring, Crack Down! 1986. © Keith Haring Foundation/ Collection Noirmontartproduction, Paris. https://www.tate.org.uk/
Keith Haring also tackled the social problem, like drug abuse in New York. Crack Down! (1986) is one of his works that struggling against the crack cocaine epidemic and its effects in New York City.
5. Ignorance = Fear (1989)
Keith Haring, Ignorance = Fear 1989. © Keith Haring Foundation/ Collection Noirmontartproduction, Paris. https://www.tate.org.uk/
Through his artworks, Haring also raises awareness of AIDS. Ignorance = Fear (1989) is about people who live with AIDS. Haring built The Keith Haring Foundation that supports AIDS research, charities, and education. In 1990, Keith Haring died caused by AIDS-related complications.
Keith Haring has succeeded to defy the boundaries between doodling and drawing. Common opinion divides doodling as aimless and spontaneous, while drawing is intentional to communicate a message. Haring has challenged this distinction by his works that are simultaneously spontaneous and carrying an important message. Haring is also remembered as a talented artist and social activist.
Artist Keith Haring’s Journals – ‘I’m Glad I’m Different’ | TateShots
