Internationally acclaimed artist Keith Haring (1958-1990) catapulted to fame during the 80’s art boom when his graffiti-inspired chalk drawings appeared in New York subway stations. A sculptor, painter, graphic artist and muralist, his art’s pulsating energy and explosive colors embody the vibe of New York street culture. A compulsive worker, Haring created murals and sculptures in the U.S. and in foreign countries, often slaving over the details from concept to completion. Painting with the exuberance of a precocious child, he marked this kinship as an activist for children, as he also was involved with AIDS-related organizations.
Haring's populist attitude was central to both his imagery and the way it was distributed. He opened his Pop Shop in 1986 to make his images more accessible to the public.