This is the second post in our Artist of the Week series.
Keith Haring was born in Pennsylvania in 1958.He was always interested in art and drawing from a young age. He learned his cartoonish style from his father and from the influence of Disney. He attended college for two semesters before realizing that being a commercial graphic artist was not what he wanted. He continued painting and improving his art in in 1978 he had his first solo exhibition.
Haring then moved to New York where he participated in both solo and group exhibitions which would gain him popularity as an artist. He would work out his ideas in the subway, using the unused black paper covered advertising spaces. New York commuters began to treasure these impromptu pieces of art and would often talk to Haring as he worked.
He believed that his art should be accessible to anyone that wanted it, and to this end he opened the Pop Shop in 1986. Haring sold just about anything that he could put his image on, at prices that were easily reachable by anyone. He even painted the entire interior of the shop in black with white drawings to match his work.
Haring did numerous public works and murals, many of which can still be seen to day. Sadly in 1988, Haring was diagnosed with AIDS and died of AIDS related complications in 1990. His cartoonish and interpretive style continues to impress people of all ages, and his artistic style has become something of a pop icon.
To learn more about Keith Haring visit Haring.com
