Image via Complex Original
Today, Keith Haring is a household name, some 23 years after his untimely death from AIDS at the age of 31. Haring played an integral part in redefining what "art" was for his generation (including the generation that followed), blurring the lines between traditional fine art and what was considered vandalism at the time. From chalk drawings on New York City subway platforms to galleries and public spaces around the world, Haring took the art world by storm in the mid 1980s. But like most great artists, he was too far ahead of his time.
His vision and talents as an artist, combined with his attitudes toward sexuality and social activism, gave him a platform to speak to and affect the lives of many—but few knew the man behind the semiotics, sneakers, and round glasses. In honor of the expansive retrospective of his work currently on view at Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris through August 18, here is your chance to get to know him better with 20 Things You Didn't Know About Keith Haring.
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20. He wasn't a native New Yorker.
20. He wasn't a native New Yorker.
Because of his major contributions to the New York art scene, people like to assume that he was a native. He was born in Reading, PA and raised in Kutztown.
19. At age 10, he said he wanted to be an artist in France.
19. At age 10, he said he wanted to be an artist in France.
There is a Keith Haring exhibit at the Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris (MAM) now through August 8. Dreams really do come true.
18. At 12 years old, he was a "Jesus freak."
18. At 12 years old, he was a "Jesus freak."
Young, impressionable Keith Haring met members of the Jesus Movement, got some leaflets, and began trying to convince people that they needed to be born again.
17. He started a Monkees fan club.
17. He started a Monkees fan club.
When he was in fourth grade, Haring used to buy teen magazines and cut out pictures of Davy Jones for collages.
16. He loved Walt Disney, Dr. Seuss, and Charles Schultz.
16. He loved Walt Disney, Dr. Seuss, and Charles Schultz.
Besides his father, they were three of his earliest artistic inspirations.
15. The Shining was his favorite horror movie.
15. The Shining was his favorite horror movie.
Of course, Haring got down with a true classic.
14. He was a Dead Head.
14. He was a Dead Head.
As a youth, Haring was a big fan of The Grateful Dead and kept a journal of his experiences following the band.
13. In 1977, he financed a cross-country trip by selling anti-Richard Nixon shirts.
13. In 1977, he financed a cross-country trip by selling anti-Richard Nixon shirts.
Those undoubtedly sold like...well, crack.
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12. He bought art supplies at Pearl Paint on Canal Street.
12. He bought art supplies at Pearl Paint on Canal Street.
Pearl Paint does in fact still exist in downtown NYC. You can shop where Keith Haring and other artists (including Basquiat) got their supplies.
11. His first solo exhibition in New York was at age 24.
11. His first solo exhibition in New York was at age 24.
He was one of many artists during this time who got an incredibly early start in their art careers, which was less common then as it is now.
10. He worked as a wildflower picker on the New Jersey Turnpike.
10. He worked as a wildflower picker on the New Jersey turnpike.
Sometimes you just have to make ends meet. Success as an artist doesn't happen overnight.
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9. He took Andy Warhol to Madonna's wedding as a +1.
9. He took Andy Warhol to Madonna's wedding as a +1.
We wonder why Warhol wasn't invited?
8. He was invited to paint on the Berlin Wall.
8. He was invited to paint on the Berlin Wall.
This was considered the highest honor that a social activist artist (who was raised in the 1960s) could receive in 1986.
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7. He had a thing for Juans.
7. He had a thing for Juans.
Haring's two serious lovers during his tragically short life were Juan Dubose and Juan Rivera.
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6. He is the reason the Bowery Graffiti Mural Wall is still a thing.
6. He is the reason the Bowery Graffiti Mural Wall is still a thing.
In 1982, Keith Haring and Juan Dubose painted the wall at the corner of Houston and Bowery in New York City, establishing a cultural landmark. Artists are still painting on it to this day.
5. He was told by advisors that he was making too much work.
5. He was told by advisors that he was making too much work.
Haring would draw sketches for any fan who asked, and his advisors felt that it would depreciate the value of his larger works.
4. His Sesame Street animations were made by someone else.
4. His Sesame Street animations were made by someone else.
For '80s and '90s babies, Sesame Street may have been one's first exposure to Haring's work. The animations were in fact made after his death by Bill Davis, with the approval of the Keith Haring Foundation.
3. He never officially came out to his parents.
3. He never officially came out to his parents.
Haring described his early boyfriends as "bodyguards," but his parents eventually caught on.
2. At his funeral, his spirit told Yoko Ono to pocket his ashes...allegedly.
2. At his funeral, his spirit told Yoko Ono to pocket his ashes...allegedly.
According to Yoko Ono, Keith Haring posthumously told her to take his ashes to Paris...
1. On his death bed, one of the last things he drew was the "Radiant Baby."
1. On his death bed, one of the last things he drew was the "Radiant Baby."
It was a final way to say farewell to the world, and to this day it's one of his most iconic drawings.