Early Life and Influences

Keith Allen Haring, an American artist and social activist, was born on May 4, 1958, in Reading, Pennsylvania. His early life was marked by a keen interest in art, influenced by his father's amateur cartooning and the works of Walt Disney, Dr. Seuss, Charles Schulz, and Looney Tunes characters.

Artistic Evolution

After studying commercial art at Pittsburgh's Ivy School of Professional Art (1976-1978), Haring became fascinated with the work of Jean Dubuffet, Jackson Pollock, and Mark Tobey. A 1977 retrospective of Pierre Alechinsky's work and a lecture by Christo in 1978 significantly influenced his style, leading to the creation of larger, calligraphic images.

New York and the Rise to Fame

In the early 1980s, Haring moved to New York, where he began to study painting at the School of Visual Arts. His work started gaining public attention with his public art in subways, leading to exhibitions at Club 57 and the development of his iconic symbol, "The Radiant Baby." This period also saw the creation of provocative collages from cut-up New York Post headlines.

Activism and Legacy

Key Works:

• The Radiant Baby, a symbol of youthful innocence and purity.
• National Coming Out Day USA, reflecting his support for the LGBTQ+ community, available at https://WahooArt.com/@@/D46N5V-Keith-Haring-National-Coming-Out-Day-USA.
• Untitled (235), an example of his Pop Art style, found at https://WahooArt.com/@@/9HBCP5-Keith-Haring-Untitled-(235).

International Recognition and Museum Collections

The Museum of Modern Art (New York, United States) houses several of Haring's works, including Untitled, which can be viewed at https://WahooArt.com/@@/D3QM5A-Keith-Haring-Untitled.

Counterculture and Legacy

As part of the counterculture movement, Haring's work reflects the social and political tensions of his time. For more on this era, see Counterculture of the 1960s on Wikipedia.

Conclusion

Keith Haring's life was a testament to the power of art as a form of self-expression and activism. His legacy continues to inspire, with his work remaining a widely recognized visual language of the 20th century. Explore more of his artworks and the world of Neo-Pop Art at https://WahooArt.com/@@/A@D3CRAZ-Neo-Pop-Art-Movement.

**Early Life and Influences**

Keith Allen Haring, an American artist and social activist, was born on May 4, 1958, in Reading, Pennsylvania. His early life was marked by a keen interest in art, influenced by his father, Allan Haring, an engineer and amateur cartoonist. The young Haring's fascination with art was further nurtured by Walt Disney cartoons, Dr. Seuss, Charles Schulz, and the Looney Tunes characters.

**Artistic Journey**

After a brief stint studying commercial art at Pittsburgh's Ivy School of Professional Art (1976-1978), Haring became disillusioned with the conventional approach to art. Inspired by Robert Henri's "The Art Spirit" (1923), he decided to focus on his own unique style, which would eventually become a visual language of the 20th century.

**New York and the Rise to Fame**

In the late 1970s, Haring moved to New York City, where he became a pivotal figure in the downtown art scene. His work, characterized by bold lines, vivid colors, and active figures, began to carry strong messages of life and unity. This period saw the creation of his iconic symbol, "The Radiant Baby," which would become synonymous with Haring's style.

• Untitled (235), a quintessential example of Haring's Pop Art style, can be found on WahooArt.
• Haring's involvement in the 1980s New York City street culture led to numerous public works, including "Crack is Wack" (1986), which can be seen from New York's FDR Drive.
• His association with Andy Warhol, as seen in "Andy Mouse," marked a significant element in his eventual success.

**International Recognition and Activism**

By the 1980s, Haring had established himself internationally, with works such as The Story of Red and Blue (Nakamura Keith Haring Collection, Hokuto, Japan), which can be viewed on WahooArt. His activism extended to designing a Free South Africa poster in 1985 and painting a section of the Berlin Wall in 1986.

**Legacy**

Keith Haring's legacy is not limited to his art; it extends to his influence on social activism and the visual language of the 20th century. His work continues to inspire, with The Blueprint Drawings (Nakamura Keith Haring Collection, Hokuto, Japan) being a testament to his enduring impact.

• For more on Haring's life and works, visit WahooArt's Keith Haring page.
• Explore the Neo-Expressionism Art Movement, which influenced Haring's style, at WahooArt's Neo-Expressionism page.

**Conclusion**

Keith Haring's life was a testament to the power of art as a medium for social change. His legacy, marked by his iconic visual language and unwavering activism, continues to inspire artists and activists alike.