Keith Haring

Keith Haring Drawings (1982 Tony Shafrazi exhibition poster)

1982

Andy Warhol Studies for a Boy Book 1956: A rare sought-after, 1950s Andy Warhol designed poster invitation published on the occasion of: Warhol's 'Studies for a Boy Book', held at the Bodley Gallery and Bookshop Feb. 14 - March 3, 1956. A rare early Warhol collectible that seldom comes to market. Not to be passed upon. Medium: Offset lithograph on wove paper. Framed in glass. Dimensions: 15.75 x 13.5 inches (40 x 34.3 cm). Framed dimensions: 24h x 26w inches. Good overall vintage condition; fold-lines as originally issued; Unsigned from an edition of unknown. Rare. With the Estate of Andy Warhol and the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts Authorization ink-stamps on the reverse; initialed 'T.J.H.' by Timothy J. Hunt of the Andy Warhol Foundation and annotated 'XX-07.16' and 'PM19.0242' in pencil on the reverse. Provenance: The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, New York Susan Sheehan Gallery, New York Private Collection, New York Further Background: "In the 1950's Warhol self-published a large series of artist’s books & hold parties at Serendipity 3, a restaurant and ice cream parlor on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, where his friends would help him hand color his books. In 1956, he presented a solo exhibition at the Bodley Gallery called Studies for a Boy Book. These sketchbook drawings of portraits of young men and erotic portrayals of male nudes contrasted with the work of other contemporary gay artists, such as Robert Rauschenberg and Jasper Johns, who considered Warhol 'too swish.' (source: The Andy Warhol Museum) Collections: The Art Institute of Chicago Further background: Warhol’s career began as a commercial illustrator on New York’s Madison Avenue in 1949, during the massive post-war economic boom. His arrival additionally coincided with an extensive change in the motivations and strategies behind advertising, utilizing applied psychology to influence American consumers to purchase products. This stint as an ad man would further his Pop interest in cultural commercialization and start his artistic career; thus began the first chapter of Warhol’s oeuvre, dominated by charming and light-handed ink drawings. As a master of line and contour, Warhol’s consistent and unique drawings and designs piqued the interest of his clients, earning him commissions and collaborations with some of the biggest brands of the day: Tiffany & Co., Columbia Records, and Vogue, to name a few. Though stylistically different from the Pop, these early drawings offer a glimpse at an artist well on his way to establishing an art movement that would change the way the world conceived of contemporary art and its connection to pop culture, morphing from his early successes in the commercial art scene. The simple yet sophisticated line drawings contain... his favorite things: cherubs, shoes, cats, and often young men. Across these drawings and hand-colored prints, we see Warhol as a compulsive creator, documenting life and fantasy with the stark clarity of ink on paper." (source: Phillips) _ Obsessed with celebrity, consumer culture, and mechanical reproduction, Pop Art king, Andy Warhol created some of the 20th century’s most iconic images. Warhol was widely influenced by popular & consumer culture, with this being evident in some of his most famous works: 32 Campbell's soup cans, Brillo pad box sculptures, and portraits of Marilyn Monroe & Mick Jagger, for example. Rejecting the standard painting and sculpting modes of his era, Warhol embraced silk-screen printmaking to achieve his characteristic hard edges and flat areas of color. The artist mentored Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat and continues to influence contemporary art around the world: His most bold successors include Richard Prince, Takashi Murakami, and Jeff Koons. Warhol has been the subject of exhibitions at the Whitney Museum of American Art, Museum of Modern Art, Tate Modern, and Centre Pompidou, among other institutions. Related Categories 1950s Andy Warhol. Vintage Andy Warhol. Mid century modern. Pop Art. Andy Warhol advertising...

Rain Dance: A Benefit for the African Emergency Relief Fund, 1985: Rare original 1980s Keith Haring & Jean-Michel Basquiat illustrated poster published on the occasion of a UNICEF benefit exhibition at 292 Lafayette Street (February 2-23 1985) & benefit party at Larry Levan’s legendary Paradise Garage (January 30, 1985). Organized & curated by Keith Haring on behalf of UNICEF’s African Emergency Relief Fund. Medium: Offset lithograph in colors on smooth wove paper. 1985. Dimensions: 22.5 x 30.5 inches. Very good overall vintage condition. Well-preserved. Featuring printed signatures by hosts: Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat,  Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, & Yoko Ono. From an edition of unknown. Scarce. Literature / References: Keith Haring: Posters (Jürgen and Osten). More on Keith Haring Rain Dance: Curated and organized by Keith Haring, Rain Dance was a 1985 benefit for UNICEF’s African Emergency Relief Fund. Participating artists famously included: Jean-Michel Basquiat, Larry Levan, Fred Brathwaite, Christo, Francesco Clemente, George Condo, Crash, Futura 2000, Jenny Holzer, John Lennon, Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Mapplethorpe, Brice Marden, Robert Morris, Yoko Ono, Lee Quiñones, Robert Rauschenberg, Kenny Scharf, Julian Schnabel, Richard Serra, Cindy Sherman, Tseng Kwong Chi, and Andy Warhol. Related Categories: Keith Haring figurative drawings. Keith Haring activist posters. Keith Haring Dancers. Street art. Graffiti. 1980s. Keith Haring Larry Levan. Keith Haring Paradise...

John Baldessari, Sonnabend Gallery. New York, NY, September 17 - October 15, 1994: A beautifully composed rare original John Baldessari exhibition poster on elegant transparent paper...

Keith Haring USA Celebrates UNICEF, 1989 (Keith Haring UNICEF 1989): RARE original 1980s Keith Haring illustrated benefit poster for UNICEF. Keith Haring began working with UNICEF in 1985 when he famously organized, 'Rain Dance' - a then, benefit for UNICEF’s African Emergency Relief Fund. A seldom available Keith Haring activist poster that is not to be passed upon. Medium: Offset lithograph in colors on smooth wove paper. 1989. Dimensions: 17.5 x 22 inches Fair to Good overall vintage condition. Contains fold-lines as originally issued; minor signs of handling & age related wear; small tear & loss to upper edge; surface residue in a few areas. Stored & will be shipped flat. Printed signature, ‘K. Haring 1989’ on the mid right from an edition of unknown. Rarely comes to market. Literature / References: Keith Haring: Posters (Jürgen and Osten). “UNICEF was founded after World War II to bring help and hope to all children at risk or in need – no matter which country they lived in or what role that country played in the war. Our mission is no less urgent and universal today,” said UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake. “With so many children around the world in so much need, we are recommitting ourselves to delivering results for every child.” The organization was established by the United Nations General Assembly to help children in post-war Europe, China and the Middle East. Funded entirely through voluntary contributions from governments, civil society, the private sector and concerned citizens, it rapidly expanded its reach and by 1955 was working for children in more than 90 countries. Today, UNICEF is the world’s largest children’s organization, working with partners in 190 countries and territories and through the efforts of 13,000 national and international staff to reach every child. Related Categories: Keith Haring figurative drawings. Keith Haring activist posters. Keith Haring Dancers. Street art. Graffiti. 1980s. Keith Haring Larry Levan. Keith Haring Paradise Garage...