Red Keith Haring sculpture

by Dr. Lori Verderame

A native of Kutztown, Pennsylvania, Keith Haring was the pioneer of the Graffiti art movement of the 1980s. Along with Jean Michel Basquiat, Haring’s murals and subway drawings featuring radiating babies, dancing figures, and barking dogs became the trademark of his linear and direct style.

Disney, Warhol, and Everyman

Influenced by Walt Disney cartoons, urban signage, and the Pop art of Andy Warhol, Keith Haring reintroduced works of art to the common man. He brought art back to the people by way of his subway drawings and later, his painted murals. Haring moved art out of the elitist art gallery system and brought art into the city streets and into accessible public areas. He drew large scale works on concrete walls, subway cars, trains, and other public sites. Some of Haring’s most popular compositions were drawings that were executed on the black pieces of paper which the city of New York would have placed over expired billboard ads in the subway tunnels.

Talent cut short

Haring’s success derived from his characteristic playful works of art. He gained international fame not only for his artwork but also for his devoted advocacy to support AIDS research.

Request an online appraisal of your Keith Haring piece from Dr. Lori.