Top 10 Interesting Facts about Keith Haring

A red BMW convertible painted by Haring. Photo by Thad Zajdowicz. Wikimedia Commons

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Keith Haring

Keith Haring, who was born on May 4, 1958, in Reading, Pennsylvania, is best known for his contributions to the New York City art scene in the 1980s. His graffiti-inspired artwork featured simplified depictions of people, dogs, babies, hearts, and flying saucers. He frequently used bold lines and bright colours to convey feelings of movement and radiance, and though he died at the age of 31 in 1990, his artwork and legacy live on.

He was a man on fire who left an astonishing legacy before succumbing to HIV.
After 31 frantic years on Earth, he created significant works in the United States, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, South America, Japan, Holland, and Spain.

His style is instantly recognizable, much like a song you recognize after hearing it. It is mostly made up of simple figures surrounded by rhythmic lines that give them the appearance of vibrating or moving.

1. All of his siblings’ names began with the letter ‘K’

Long before the Kardashians, all of Keith Haring’s children shared the first initial of ‘K.’ Allen and Joan Haring named their four children Keith, Kay, Karen, and Kristen.

Keith, the oldest and only son, enjoyed watching and drawing cartoons such as Mickey Mouse, Dr. Seuss, and Peanuts. He moved to New York City as a young adult to pursue his passion for art. Kristen Haring later recalled her older brother calling home from New York to tell his family about his celebrity dinner guests, including Grace Jones and Madonna.

2. He was inspired by New York subways and street culture

Haring began drawing art in New York’s subways with chalk in his early twenties. The subway stations’ walls were covered with panels—empty spaces for advertising—that Haring drew on with white chalk. His subway drawings were simple, and he did dozens of them every day in front of people who would watch and ask him what they meant.

3. He was frequently arrested for his subway artwork

Keith Haring’s mural “We Are The Youth”. Photo by Rgs25. Wikimedia Commons

Despite public support for Haring’s subway drawings, the NYPD ticketed and arrested him several times for vandalism. And, despite drawing quickly to avoid arrest, he was caught in the act by cops.

“More than once, I was handcuffed and taken to a station by a cop who, much to his dismay, realized that the other cops in the precinct are my fans and were eager to meet me and shake my hand,” Haring said. By 1984, Haring’s artwork had become so popular that people would steal and sell his chalk drawings from subway stations.

4. He became friends with Andy Warhol and Madonna

Haring became heavily involved in the downtown New York art scene in the 1980s, befriending visual artists and performers such as Andy Warhol and Madonna. Haring depicted Andy Warhol with sunglasses and Mickey Mouse ears in a series of paintings titled Andy Mouse.

Andy Haring tried his hand at fashion designing when he made a jacket and skirt for Madonna to wear for her performances—which she says she’d never give up. She told Rolling Stone that she met him through a roommate, and that they started hanging out at [legendary New York nightclubs] Danceteria, Mudd Club, and the Roxy. 

5. Keith Haring’s original work can be found all over the world

Sculpture “the boxers” by Keith Haring in Berlin/Germany. Photo by neeel. Wikimedia Commons

Haring created public works murals throughout New York City in the 1980s, including his “Crack is Wack” mural at East 128th Street and Harlem River Drive. Despite the fact that he is best known as a New York

He was a New York artist who did not confine himself to the city. He travelled the world, painting public murals in Paris, Berlin, Pisa, Sydney, Melbourne, and Rio de Janeiro. Not only that, but he painted at children’s hospitals, charities, churches, and orphanages in these cities.

6. He opened his own shop to make his art available to the public

Keith Haring at work in the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam. Photo by Rob Bogaerts. Wikimedia Commons

Haring opened the Pop Shop in Soho (New York) in 1986 to sell merchandise.
His artwork was featured on shirts, posters, magnets, and buttons available at the store.

In order to make his art more accessible to a wider audience, Haring opened a second Pop Shop in Tokyo in 1987. Critics accused Haring of crass commercialism, but Haring insisted that he was doing the opposite. 

7. Keith Haring’s artwork was inspired by his HIV diagnosis

Head through belly von Keith Haring. Photo by Frank Vincentz. Wikimedia Commons

Haring, who was openly gay, was diagnosed with AIDS in 1988, after many of his friends and partners had died of the disease for years. He used his artwork to raise AIDS awareness, such as with his piece Silence=Death.

Not only that, he incorporated homosexuality and AIDS symbols into his work, such as a pink triangle, horned sperm, and devils. Six months later, at the age of 31, he died of AIDS complications.

8. To carry on his legacy, he established the Keith Haring Foundation

Haring founded the Keith Haring Foundation in 1989, a year after being diagnosed with AIDS. Haring enjoyed working with children to create collaborative murals, in addition to being passionate about AIDS awareness and prevention. Throughout his life, Haring ran art workshops for children in museums and schools all over the world. The Keith Haring Foundation supports children’s charities.

It manages and licences his artwork and conducts AIDS research and education. Haring’s New York Pop Shop remained open for 15 years after his death before closing in 2005. 

9. Haring’s artwork is featured in the world’s largest jigsaw puzzle

A massive jigsaw puzzle featuring 32 of Haring’s art pieces can be purchased and assembled, measuring over 17 feet by 6 feet. The 32,256-piece “Double Retrospect” puzzle, made by a German puzzle company, weighs 42 pounds and is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s largest commercially available puzzle.

10. In the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, a Keith Haring balloon caused havoc

A 48-foot tall Keith Haring balloon called “Figure With Heart” appeared in the 2008 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, but it caused a commotion when it collided with the NBC broadcast booth, briefly interrupting the parade’s televised broadcast.

Haring’s ink drawing inspired the balloon, which featured a white figure holding a red heart over its head. The balloon, manned by Haring’s father, was featured in the parade commemorating the artist’s birth 50 years ago.