Under the heading “Keith Haring, last artwork” in that great art encyclopedia in the sky, you’re likely to find an entry from 1990.
Surely, the last of the famed graffiti-style artist’s work graced the world shortly before his death…right?
Well, yes and no.
While there is no doubt that Haring’s genius was taken way too soo, a recent discovery has the art world salivating over an upcoming Christie’s auction.
So is this a redefinition of Keith Haring’s last artwork? Read on for the full story and decide for yourself.
Never-Before-Seen Haring
The upcoming Christie’s auction will feature NFTs of 5 digital drawings Keith Haring created on a personal computer in 1987 that have been unseen by the public and stored on floppy disks since then.
Vibrant Visual Language
The digital drawings showcase Haring’s signature fluorescent, cartoonish style with bold lines and squiggles conveying a lively kineticism, despite the pixelation.
Prolific Street Artist
Born in 1958, Haring began drawing as a child and later became known in the 1980s for his prolific public street art painted in subway stations he called his “laboratory.”
Experimenting with New Mediums
As new technologies emerged, Haring was excited to experiment with computers as a medium, writing in his journal that his style was perfect for “translation into computers.”
Endless Possibilities
Haring believed there were “endless possibilities to be investigated” in using computers to create art, possessing an ability to use them effectively.
Dawn of Consumer Computers
Haring made the digital drawings on an Amiga computer during the early days of personal computers when their capabilities were still advancing.
Warhol’s Computer Art
Christie’s previously auctioned similar computer art by Andy Warhol, who along with Haring received Amiga computers from Timothy Leary to create experimental digital art.
Strong Affinity
But Haring felt the strongest affinity for the new digital medium compared to other artists like Warhol who were curious about technology’s role in art.
Significant Auction Estimates
The individual Haring NFT artworks are estimated to fetch between $200,000-$500,000 each when auctioned by Christie’s later this month.
Proceeds for Charity
Proceeds from the NFT auction sales will go to the Keith Haring Foundation, founded by Haring before he died of AIDS-related causes in 1990.
Foundation’s Mission
The Haring Foundation supports nonprofits serving children and providing AIDS resources, while also preserving the artist’s legacy.
Art for Everybody
Haring believed “art is for everybody” and would use any medium to communicate ideas to the masses beyond traditional art spaces.
Non-Traditional Art Forms
Staying true to his democratic ethos, Haring manifested his art through non-traditional forms like subway drawings, murals, found objects, and early digital art.
Childhood Passion for Drawing
Haring’s artistic journey began as a child in Pennsylvania where he first developed a passion for drawing that drove his prolific career.
Rise to Fame in 1980s
After studying art in New York City in the late 1970s, Haring rose to fame as a street artist painting in subway stations throughout the 1980s.
Signature Visual Style
Haring became known for his signature visual style defined by bright colors, rhythmic lines, and cartoonish figures conveying high energy and movement.
Belief in Public Art
As a proponent of public art, Haring brought his vibrant style to subways, streets, and murals to make art truly accessible to all.
Pioneering Digital Art
As an early pioneer of digital art, Haring recognized computers’ future importance and his style’s ideal translation into pioneering computer-generated works.
Preserving a Legacy
The upcoming NFT auction allows Haring’s never-before-seen innovations in early digital art to finally be revealed over 30 years later while benefitting his foundation’s mission to preserve his legacy.