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Lot 36
Keith Haring (1958-1990)
Untitled
Closed23 September 2014
Price Realised
USD 191,000
More Information
Keith Haring (1958-1990)
Untitled
signed twice, dated and inscribed 'K. Haring MARCH 1 - 83 K. Haring TOKYO' (on the reverse)
sumi ink on paper
31 x 43 in. (78.8 x 109.2 cm.)
Executed in 1983-1984.
Untitled
signed twice, dated and inscribed 'K. Haring MARCH 1 - 83 K. Haring TOKYO' (on the reverse)
sumi ink on paper
31 x 43 in. (78.8 x 109.2 cm.)
Executed in 1983-1984.
Keith Haring (1958-1990)
Untitled
signed twice, dated and inscribed 'K. Haring MARCH 1 - 83 K. Haring TOKYO' (on the reverse)
sumi ink on paper
31 x 43 in. (78.8 x 109.2 cm.)
Executed in 1983-1984.
Untitled
signed twice, dated and inscribed 'K. Haring MARCH 1 - 83 K. Haring TOKYO' (on the reverse)
sumi ink on paper
31 x 43 in. (78.8 x 109.2 cm.)
Executed in 1983-1984.
Seibu Art Forum, Tokyo
Acquired from the above by the present owner
Acquired from the above by the present owner
Keith Haring was a social activist driven by contemporary American culture in a manner that differentiated his art from that of his contemporaries. Entering what was deemed to be a new phase of his artistic career in 1984, he was inspired to use cartoon imagery representing contemporary Manhattan life in graffiti art. His finished products, ranging from works on paper such as this untitled work to expansive murals, provided a comic depiction of serious social topics.
Haring’s clarity and confidence enhanced an unmistakable abbreviated, graphic style. Often working in black and white, the artist executed simple figures and forms of subjects as diverse as the cosmos, robotics, and video games. Haring even deemed himself a perfect product of the space age, and his art reflected that self-perception. In this particular work, the artist melded his iconic cartoon-like figures with sci-fi imagery to create a bold composition. Though some believed Haring's iconic images were antithetical to high art, Haring believed that the familiarity of his art made it most effective as a social tool.
Through his readily identifiable artistic style, Haring was able to communicate with ease to multitudes of people in venues ranging from the subway and to the contemporary gallery. Haring believed that art enriches the spirit and that the best art was the most accessible. Though stylistically simple, this work speaks to the artist’s unique ability to establish direct, immediate communication with a wide audience.
Haring’s clarity and confidence enhanced an unmistakable abbreviated, graphic style. Often working in black and white, the artist executed simple figures and forms of subjects as diverse as the cosmos, robotics, and video games. Haring even deemed himself a perfect product of the space age, and his art reflected that self-perception. In this particular work, the artist melded his iconic cartoon-like figures with sci-fi imagery to create a bold composition. Though some believed Haring's iconic images were antithetical to high art, Haring believed that the familiarity of his art made it most effective as a social tool.
Through his readily identifiable artistic style, Haring was able to communicate with ease to multitudes of people in venues ranging from the subway and to the contemporary gallery. Haring believed that art enriches the spirit and that the best art was the most accessible. Though stylistically simple, this work speaks to the artist’s unique ability to establish direct, immediate communication with a wide audience.