Keith Haring (1958-1990)

In 1987 Keith Haring paid homage in a series of works to the recognized 20th Century master of line, Pablo Picasso. Specifically, Haring references Picasso's assimilation of African tribal art in a grouping of paintings and three-dimensional large-scale masks created for his show at the Shafrazi Gallery in 1987. In these pictures, Haring limits his palate to primary colors and black. In the present painting, Haring incorporates allusions to Maori tattoos. The simplicity, playfulness and whimsy of his compositions prevail to make this example quintessentially Keith Haring.