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Keith Haring Biography

Keith Haring (1958-90) was preeminent among the young artists, performers and musicians in New York whose work responded to urban street culture of the 1980s.

Inspired by the graffiti artists whose marks covered the city’s trains, Haring began to draw in white chalk over the black paper used to cover vacant advertising panels throughout the subway system. Not only was Haring able to reach a large and diverse audience with his subway drawings, but, eventually, the subway became, as Haring said, a “laboratory” for working out his ideas.

As early as 1982, Haring began exhibiting in galleries and museums around the world and continued to participate in public projects, including literacy campaigns and anti-AIDS initiatives.

Throughout his career, Haring produced murals, sculptures and paintings to benefit hospitals, underprivileged children's groups and various community health organisations.

Before his early death from an AI