Born: May 4, 1958 in Kutztown, Pennsylvania
Died: February 16, 1990

Keith Haring's talent was first recognized on the subway platforms, where his trademark chalk-drawn figures could be seen for the price of a token. His career moved from underground New York to the most prestigious galleries and museums in the world by the time of his death in 1990's.

Urban street culture became a defining influence on art, fashion, and music of the 1980's, in particular in New York City. Keith Haring (1958-90) was preeminent among the young artists, filmmakers, performers, and musicians whose work responded to these impulses and helped shape the culture of that decade. He developed a unique visual lexicon. Essential concepts - birth, death, love, and war - were conveyed by the simplest of symbols - energy, waves, hearts, glowing babies, (his most famous life giving symbol) barking dogs, and antic Everyman figures. Harings imagery was a signature of the era, and has become a universally recognized visual language of the late 20th century.