Keith Haring: 1978-1982

Situated in that explosive mini-era from 1978 to 1982 in New York, this monograph explores the early and most experimental period in the career of Keith Haring (1958-1990). Its narrative commences with a portrait of the vigorous studio practice Haring had already established after enrolling in New York's School of Visual Arts, and tracks his metamorphosis into an ultra-prolific artist creating political public art on downtown streets and responding to the city's graffiti culture, intent on making art that would thrive outside the boundaries of institutions. Reproduced throughout are rarely seen drawings and sketchbooks, video stills, flyers, posters, photographs, subway drawings, word collages, texts and diaries. The evolution of Haring's visual vocabulary in these years is explored, through his cornucopia of influences, ranging from Jean Dubuffet, Pierre Alechinsky, Jackson Pollock and Henri Matisse to William Burroughs, Dr. Seuss and Walt Disney. Haring's heroes directly informed his development of interlocking geometric shapes, comic-inspired narrative storyboards and humor-infused homoerotic tableaux. Keith 1978-1982 unfolds the nascent career of this tireless creator, philosopher, agitator and activist, one of the most influential and popular artists of the twentieth century.