Keith Haring / First Edition / 2008

By Jeffrey Deitch, Julia Gruen, Keith Haring

Keith Haring (1958–1990) was an American artist and social activist known for his distinctive and iconic style that combined graffiti, pop art, and street culture. He gained prominence in the 1980s for his public artworks, especially his graffiti-inspired drawings that often featured bold lines, bright colors, and simplified human figures.

Haring's artwork often conveyed social and political messages, addressing issues like AIDS awareness, apartheid, drug addiction, and LGBTQ+ rights. His art was not only visually appealing but also carried a strong sense of activism and advocacy. He used public spaces like subway stations and street walls to make his art accessible to a wide audience, blurring the lines between fine art and street art.

One of his most recognizable motifs is the "Radiant Baby," a crawling baby with lines radiating from its body, symbolizing energy, vitality, and life. Haring's work was not limited to traditional canvas paintings; he also created sculptures, murals, and even collaborated with fashion designers and musicians.

Tragically, Keith Haring passed away in 1990 at the age of 31 due to complications from AIDS. Despite his relatively short life, his influence on contemporary art, pop culture, and social activism continues to be felt to this day. His legacy lives on through his artwork, which is celebrated for its vibrant and energetic style, as well as its powerful social messages.

Book Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket: None.

Dive into the captivating world of an iconic artist with this visually stunning book. Exquisitely illustrated boards and featuring drawings that embellish all its edges, the book transports readers through time. The book covers the pre-1980 era to the transformative year of 1989. The book unveils an intimate journey through unpublished photographs, writings, drawings, and studio snapshots. From the humble beginnings of early subway tags to the profound creations that engaged with urgent societal issues such as AIDS, illiteracy, and apartheid, the book offers a profound exploration of an artist's trajectory.

The boards have slight edgewear with bumping on the corners. The board covers have slight bumping and rubbing. The spine has creasing. The fore-edge has slight bumping, and the text block has minor finger soiling on some pages. The pages are otherwise clean and unmarked.

Publisher: Rizzoli, New York
Publication Date: 2008
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: Very Good
Edition: 1st Edition
Pages: 522 pp.
Size: 12x11x2in Square 4to