Keith Haring

I had the opportunity to see Keith Haring: The Political Line exhibit at the de Young Museum in San Francisco. Haring’s work tackled a wide range of social issues including, (but not limited to) racism, sexuality, war, and technology. His simplistic use of figures and choice of graffiting his work on to the blank advertisement holder in the New York subway system was all a part of reaching the masses, a key ideology Haring held.

I had done some research before going to the museum, but seeing the work of Haring up close changed any preconceived notions that I had. At the surface level, all the pieces are colorful, bright, and bold. There is something almost child like to the his figures, lines, and color palette. As I looked longer I could see the themes of reemerging symbols that created a visual language to tell a story of the universal social issues that affect the world. What strike me as interesting is that even now, almost 25 years after his death, the message of these works isn’t lost and they're still very relevant to today.

The irony that these works are now being displayed in an art museum is not lost on me. Though Keith Haring fought to keep his work available to the masses, the art world has claimed him as one of their own. That being said I’m still grateful that I got to see these works. His ability to appeal to wide audience through the use of bright color and simplistic imagery is something that I strive to do in my own work.

This work is titled, A Pile of Crowns, for Jean-Michel Basquiat. One of my favorite pieces in the exhibit.

If you don't hear, speak, or see evil, does it actually exisit?

Keith Haring: The Political Line is running through February 16, 2015, don't hesitate to see it, if you have the chance to go.