Untitled, 1980
Keith Haring (1958-1990), the quintessential Pop artist who stamped his style all over Manhattan in the 80s, would have turned 50 this year. Haring's work is lauded for the "primacy of the line" as well as his devotion to the universal concepts of birth, death, love, sex and war.
Looking at his images on the excellent Keith Haring website, I would have to add dogs to that list as there are 86 dog art works there. It was impossible for me to choose my favorite, but here are some picks to enjoy. Click on images for larger view.
Untitled, 1980
Untitled, 1980
Untitled, 1980
Untitled, 1980
Untitled, 1981
Nine Drawings, 1981
Untitled, 1981
To me, Keith Haring represented everything that was cool and possible about the 1980s before he came to embody the tragedy of AIDS that decimated the arts community in the second half of the decade. Sadly he died at age 31 in 1990.
But even after his diagnosis in 1988, he used his talent to connect with people, bring awareness to the disease, and establish the Keith Haring Foundation to provide funding and imagery to AIDS organizations and children’s programs. Brilliant!
To own your own Keith Haring poster, decal, pin, t-shirt or toy and see many more fabulous dogs visit his Pop Shop.
There is also a compilation book called Dogs that includes Haring's dog art work and personal writings on life, children and friendship.
It would be a great Christmas gift for the Pop Art dog lover in your life. Click here
