Today is the 21st anniversary of Keith Haring‘s death in 1990. I, like many others, knew his work because of his unique style using thick lines and active bodies. His artwork was also used on Red, Hot and Dance in 1992, which was part of a music series organised by Red Hot, an organization who’s mission is to fight aids through music.
In 2000 on February 16th, I was in San Francisco, it’s weird the way you remember things. I got my nose pierced in the Castro and then wandered with some friends to some art galleries just off Union Square, think they were on Geary Street.
There were two galleries, side by side. I got offered a job in one. One had art by Ronnie Wood and if I remember correctly, the owners Grandad had been a photographer. When the Grandad died they found unpublished photographs of Elvis.
The other had artwork by Keith Haring, so many pieces. The assistant told me more about Keith Haring, about his art, his murals and how that day was the tenth anniversary of his death. Keith died from AIDS related complications at the age of 31.
His legacy lives on through the Keith Haring Foundation. It’s mission “is to sustain, expand, and protect the legacy of Keith Haring, his art, and his ideals. The Foundation supports not-for-profit organizations that assist children, as well as organizations involved in education, research and care related to AIDS”