Keith Haring

Keith Haring Rain Dance 1985 (Keith Haring UNICEF benefit poster)

1985

Keith Haring Rain Dance 1985: RARE original 1980s Keith Haring illustrated poster announcement for a legendary Keith Haring UNICEF benefit party at Larry Levan’s Paradise Garage in 1985. An event organized & curated by Keith Haring; with cohosts including Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein & more. A event organized by Haring on behalf of UNICEF’s African Emergency Relief Fund. Beautifully combines Haring’s trademark kinetic figures set amidst a standout blue and black color-way. Rare. Medium: Offset lithograph in colors on smooth wove paper. 1985. Dimensions: 8.5 x 11 inches (folded open). Fair overall vintage condition. Minor wear to center fold-line; minor separation to the mid far-left edge; surface loss lower left. Otherwise well-preserved. Printed signature, ‘Keith Haring 1985’ on lower right from a scarce edition of unknown. Looks fantastic framed. 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. _ Keith Haring (American, 1958–1990), a Neo-Pop and Graffiti artist, had a short but prolific career centered on a vision to unite “high art,” urban aesthetics, and public spaces using humorous, irreverent, and poignant works. Born in Pennsylvania, Haring attended the Ivy School of Art in Pittsburgh for two years, planning to become a commercial artist. He found this path unsatisfying, and instead chose to study at the School of Visual Arts in New York, where he met fellow artists Jean Michel Basquiat and Kenny Scharf. Haring immersed himself in the culture of the city’s streets and clubs, and, in 1980, began covering the blank billboards on subway station walls with his Subway drawings in chalk. Haring’s bold public art attracted the attention of several galleries, and, by the early 1980s, he was painting Neo-Pop works and large murals full time. In an effort to make his art widely accessible, Haring opened the Pop Shop in 1986 in downtown New York, selling commercial items adorned with his signature, cartoonish imagery. Haring combined graffiti, hip-hop, and urban aesthetics, frequently depicting animals, figures, commercial icons, sexual imagery, and childlike motifs in pieces that were both playful and concerned with social issues. His work became increasingly confrontational following his 1987 diagnosis of AIDS. Haring resolved to work harder than ever in his remaining years, creating pieces with a fervent speed and devoting his art to social action in addition to his personal expression. In 1989, he established the Keith Haring Foundation, whose goal is to promote art programs and public spaces for children, and to raise awareness about AIDS. Haring died on February 16, 1990 in New York at the age of 31. In addition to hundreds of exhibitions held during his lifetime, Haring has been the subject of numerous retrospectives in New York, San Francisco, Paris, Tokyo, Los Angeles and Berlin since his death. Related Categories: Keith Haring posters. Keith Haring activist poster. Keith Haring Dancers. Street art. Graffiti. 1980s. Keith Haring Larry Levan. Keith Haring Paradise Garage...

Keith Haring Tony Shafrazi Gallery 1982: The much historic early Keith Haring exhibition poster, illustrated by Haring on the occasion of: 'Keith Haring Drawings' Oct. 9 - Nov. 13 - ...

Keith Haring AIDS Dance-A-Thon New York City, 1990: Rare 1990 announcement card/program for AIDS Dance-A-Thon - a fundraising initiative benefiting G...

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...

Artist/Designer; Manufacturer: Keith Haring (American, 1958-1990) Marking(s); notes: signed; ed. 280/1000; 1988 Materials: lithograph Dimensions (H, W, D): 11.25"h, 8.5"w; 21.5"h, 17...

A limited edition silkscreen poster Keith Haring designed for Playboy. This limited edition run of 1000 was published in 1990 by Special Editions Ltd. The signature and date 'KH 86' ...

A fantastic, wonderfully designed, striking original color offset lithograph on thick wove paper exhibition poster from Keith Haring's 1983 Tony Shafrazi New York City Gallery show I...

Keith Haring (1958–1990) 'Into 84' / Tony Shafrazi Gallery, 1984 Lithograph in colors Plate signed lower right, signed in silver ink lower right on figures foot Sheet 35⅛ in H × 23⅛ ...