HIS WORK STARTED IN THE STREETS
Inspired by graffiti artists, he started drawing in New York’s subway stations with chalk and paint on the walls. His aim was to make art accessible to everyone and with these works, he could interact with a diverse audience.
"This was the first time I realized how many people could enjoy art if they were given the chance. These were not the people I saw in the museums or in the galleries"Keith Haring Seeing Haring’s drawings or observing the artist at work in the subway interested people. It also, however, interested the eyes of police officers. Haring was arrested on a number of occasions for vandalism.
"Often, I arrived at a station handcuffed (menotté) by a cop who realized that the other cops in the police station were my fans and were anxious to meet me and shake my hand."Keith Haring
EARLY LIFE
Keith Haring was born in Reading on May the 4th in 1958 in Pennsylvania. He developed a love for drawing at a very early age, learning basic cartooning skills from his father and from the popular culture around him such as Walt Disney. Haring moved to New York City in 1978 to study art. New York City was bustling (animée) with creativity. NYC graffiti culture influenced Haring’s work.He experimented with performance, video, installation and collage but he maintained a passion for drawing.
Important social and political messages
Haring used his colourful art to raise awareness (sensibiliser à) on a variety of social and political problems: he fights for gay rights and against racial discrimination and against drugs and AIDS epidemics (l'épidémie de SIDA). He created art in response to social problems not only in New York but also around the world. Haring used catchy slogans and colours to be effective (efficace).
Fun and Colour to the Community
Haring loved working with children, admiring their imagination, sense of humour and encouraged young people to get together to collaboratively create artwork. In 1986 Haring painted a mural with 900 children to celebrate the Statue of Liberty’s 100th anniversary. Haring often collaborated with charities (associations) for young people, and he painted murals in lots of children’s hospitals, including the Necker Children’s Hospital in Paris. Haring explained in his diary:
"I made this painting to amuse the sick children in this hospital, now and in the future."
Style and inspirations
Haring was inspired by various cultures including Egyptian hieroglyphs, pre-Columbian, African and Aboriginal art. Haring was also inspired by the city where he lived. His work was influenced by the spontaneity and creativity of graffiti and street artists, who transformed the urban landscape (paysage) with their vibrant murals. He often used unconventional materials such as spray paint and chalk. He built a language with positive symbols. He expressed universal concepts of birth, death, love, sex and war with simple and direct messages. He used a cheerful, optimistic, instantly recognisable imagery.
Genially sans titre
Caroline Mainard
Created on March 19, 2026
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Transcript
HIS WORK STARTED IN THE STREETS
Inspired by graffiti artists, he started drawing in New York’s subway stations with chalk and paint on the walls. His aim was to make art accessible to everyone and with these works, he could interact with a diverse audience. "This was the first time I realized how many people could enjoy art if they were given the chance. These were not the people I saw in the museums or in the galleries"Keith Haring Seeing Haring’s drawings or observing the artist at work in the subway interested people. It also, however, interested the eyes of police officers. Haring was arrested on a number of occasions for vandalism. "Often, I arrived at a station handcuffed (menotté) by a cop who realized that the other cops in the police station were my fans and were anxious to meet me and shake my hand."Keith Haring
EARLY LIFE
Keith Haring was born in Reading on May the 4th in 1958 in Pennsylvania. He developed a love for drawing at a very early age, learning basic cartooning skills from his father and from the popular culture around him such as Walt Disney. Haring moved to New York City in 1978 to study art. New York City was bustling (animée) with creativity. NYC graffiti culture influenced Haring’s work.He experimented with performance, video, installation and collage but he maintained a passion for drawing.
Important social and political messages
Haring used his colourful art to raise awareness (sensibiliser à) on a variety of social and political problems: he fights for gay rights and against racial discrimination and against drugs and AIDS epidemics (l'épidémie de SIDA). He created art in response to social problems not only in New York but also around the world. Haring used catchy slogans and colours to be effective (efficace).
Fun and Colour to the Community
Haring loved working with children, admiring their imagination, sense of humour and encouraged young people to get together to collaboratively create artwork. In 1986 Haring painted a mural with 900 children to celebrate the Statue of Liberty’s 100th anniversary. Haring often collaborated with charities (associations) for young people, and he painted murals in lots of children’s hospitals, including the Necker Children’s Hospital in Paris. Haring explained in his diary: "I made this painting to amuse the sick children in this hospital, now and in the future."
Style and inspirations
Haring was inspired by various cultures including Egyptian hieroglyphs, pre-Columbian, African and Aboriginal art. Haring was also inspired by the city where he lived. His work was influenced by the spontaneity and creativity of graffiti and street artists, who transformed the urban landscape (paysage) with their vibrant murals. He often used unconventional materials such as spray paint and chalk. He built a language with positive symbols. He expressed universal concepts of birth, death, love, sex and war with simple and direct messages. He used a cheerful, optimistic, instantly recognisable imagery.