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Keith Haring
Rare original Keith Haring Vinyl Record Art (Keith Haring Crack Is Wack)

1987

$3,600
£2,781.62
€3,215.82
CA$5,087.06
A$5,705.48
CHF 2,987.87
MX$69,327.10
NOK 37,940.94
SEK 35,970.68
DKK 24,004.41

About the Item

Rare Keith Haring “Life is Fresh! Crack Is Wack!” 1987 sealed/unopened in its original shrink wrapping: A highly sought-after 1980s record album featuring original artwork by Keith Haring. Among the most difficult to find of Keith Haring record illustrations - even more difficult as presented here sealed in its original packaging. Haring's cover illustration here for his friend at the time, Bipo, is inspired by his famous 1986 Harlem mural by the same title - perhaps the most famous of all public artworks by Haring. Rare as presented here in nice condition (also includes the original album in very good condition). Off-Set Lithograph on vinyl record cover. 1987. 12 x 12 inches (30.48 x 30.48 cm). Cover: Sealed in its original shrink wrap with the record within. Very good to excellent overall vintage condition. Printed Haring signature on lower left. From a scarce edition of unknown. Reverse photo by Haring's close friend, Tseng Kwong Chi (see credits in last image). Well suited for framing. Vinyl record included in very good condition. Keith Haring Crack Is Wack: A brief history: The historic 1986 mural, done in Haring's signature style of thick black outlines, bright colors and intermingling, cartoon-like bodies, was painted to send a serious anti-drug message to the community. In the days following its creation, the mural was quickly picked up by the news media, not because of Haring’s arrest — but because of the newsworthiness of crack cocaine and Reagan’s “War on Drugs”. Haring explained: “Every time the news did a story on crack, they would flash to the [mural as a visual]. NBC [even] did a public service announcement using it as a background.” Close to the court date, the New York Post contacted Haring and asked if they could take a picture of him in front of the mural. In the process, they learned about Haring’s arrest and were shocked. They had no idea he could face jail time. People immediately came to Haring’s defense. The topic even made the evening news, which prompted Mayor Edward Koch — who was both anti-crack and anti-graffiti — to have to consider the issue. Koch commented that “we have to find somewhere else for Haring to paint.” Several years after Haring’s untimely death in 1990, the park was officially named the “Crack Is Wack Playground" and put under the protection and jurisdiction of the City Department of Parks and still exists. Related Categories Keith Haring Graffiti. Street Art. Futura 2000. Kenny Scharf. Keith Haring public art works. Keith Haring murals. Lee Quinones. Crash. Daze. Subway art.
  • Creator:
    Keith Haring (1958-1990, American)
  • Creation Year:
    1987
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 12 in (30.48 cm)Width: 12 in (30.48 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    NEW YORK, NY
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU35439699082

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