10th Dec, 2025 18:00

Urban & Contemporary Art

Lot 239

Lot 239 - Keith Haring (American 1958-1990), 'Tony Shafrazi Gallery', 1988

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Keith Haring (American 1958-1990), 'Tony Shafrazi Gallery', 1988

Estimated at £1,000 - £1,500

Condition Report

In overall good condition
There are some light handing creases across the sheet, and some creasing/wear show around the border/edges of the sheet
Minor wear/grazing to the lower left hand edge of the sheet, visible upon close inspection
There are some light markings show to the background of the sheet, and to the sheet verso
This work has been stored flat and has not been framed.

Keith Haring (American 1958-1990), 'Tony Shafrazi Gallery', 1988, exhibition show poster, signed, dated, and dedicated 'For Adam' in black ink; sheet: 63.5 x 87cm

Auction: Urban & Contemporary Art, 10th Dec, 2025

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Keith Haring

Keith Haring emerged as a significant figure in the East Village art scene of 1980s New York, alongside contemporaries such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Kenny Scharf, and Jenny Holzer. He effectively connected the realms of fine art and street culture, initially expressing his creativity through graffiti on subway cars and sidewalks before transitioning to a more formal studio practice. Haring's work synthesized the playful elements of cartoon imagery with the visceral intensity characteristic of Art Brut artists like Jean Dubuffet, resulting in a unique pop-graffiti style defined by dynamic, boldly outlined figures set against vibrant or patterned backgrounds. His artwork frequently addressed pressing social issues, including exploitation, oppression, substance abuse, and the looming threat of nuclear disaster; his engagement with these themes intensified following his AIDS diagnosis in 1987. In contemporary times, Haring's pieces command prices in the seven-figure range at auctions and have been featured in solo exhibitions at prestigious institutions such as the Brooklyn Museum, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and the Albertina Museum in Vienna, among others.