Keith Haring

Keith Haring (1958–1990)

With simple lines, vibrant colors, and cartoon-like figures—children, dogs, UFOs—Keith Haring’s imagery sprang up across New York City’s subways and streets in the 1980s, becoming part of the daily rhythm of commuters. These were more than graffiti: they were art, and they were Haring’s Pop-inspired visual language, using symbols and totems to comment on and reflect upon the pressing social issues of his time.

Even today, Haring’s art continues to influence contemporary practice, and the social concerns he addressed remain relevant and widely discussed. His work was always a direct response to the present moment, embodying his belief that, like life itself, art must constantly evolve and transform through time. By defying societal norms, he brought cultural critique into public space through graffiti, and then elevated street art into galleries and museums, securing its recognition as legitimate art. His signature bold outlines, playful childlike imagery, and recurring symbols have become iconic emblems of twentieth-century Pop Art.