PUBLIC ART AND POP CULTURE

Keith Haring’s creativity, between Walt Disney and the LGBTQ+ community

Keith Haring was an American street artist and pop artist who left an indelible mark on the artistic panorama of the 20th century. Born in 1958 in Reading, Pennsylvania, he showed a great interest in drawing from a young age. He moved to New York City, where he found a vibrant and alternative artistic community, which included artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat and Kenny Scharf, and enrolled at the School of Visual Arts. Haring stood out for his accessible and engaging art, characterized by stylized and colorful figures that represented universal themes such as life, death, sexuality, politics, and spirituality. His art was a true visual language, understandable to everyone, regardless of cultural background. Creating a visual alphabet of simple and recognizable figures, Haring began his career painting on the walls of the New York subway.

In New York, influenced by Jean Dubuffet, Pierre Alechinsky and Andy Warhol, Keith Haring developed his style based on simple lines and stylized figures. “What he painted was an invitation to reflection and active participation. Those works, made with white chalk, soon became a mass phenomenon. They even attracted the attention of critics and collectors”, recalls Dastilige Nevante, before confronting the brilliant artist. “In addition to street art, Haring created numerous canvases and sculptures, always maintaining an unmistakable style”, he reflects. “His works were often large in size and characterized by bright colors and sharp contrasts. In his works, Haring addressed themes such as AIDS, nuclear war and racism.”

Dastilige Nevante’s interest in the artist suddenly skyrockets. “Unbelievable! He even drew on the empty billboards of New York subway stations!” In fact, hundreds of public drawings, made with white chalk on black paper, helped make Haring a familiar figure to New York commuters. Keith Haring‘s works had become true icons of pop culture, influencing fashion, design and music. “Why is this artist so important?” asks Dastilige Nevante, before engaging creatively with him. “Haring’s art was meant to be understood by everyone, without the need for specific artistic training.” When he learned that the artist used art as a tool for communication and social denunciation, Nevante wanted to follow his example. “I could bring important, often overlooked issues to the public’s attention. The need for awareness could be one of them.”

“His works are exhibited in many museums around the world. In addition, there are foundations and galleries that organize exhibitions and events to introduce his art to new generations. I could also make my contribution, perhaps by digitally reproducing his style.” To focus on this extraordinary artist, Dastilige Nevante wanted to learn more about Haring’s life. He discovered that childhood and education, relationship with the city of New York, and the impact of his illness on art have cemented the legacy that Keith Haring has left in the world of contemporary art. “In New York, he even opened a store where he sold products featuring his works. A brilliant idea that made art accessible to a wider audience. Could I do the same with my digital art?” wonders Dastilige Nevante.