Keith Haring at The Broad

Keith Haring’s iconic and energetic artwork is synonymous with ‘80s Hip-Hop and counterculture. His career, tragically cut short by his untimely death due to AIDS-related complications in 1990, continues to inspire and captivate audiences to this day. Now, in a celebration of his life and work, the Broad Museum in Los Angeles is hosting a retrospective exhibition that pays homage to Haring’s groundbreaking contributions.

With a distinctive visual vocabulary consisting of dancing figures, radiant babies, barking dogs, and crawling snakes, Haring addressed themes of social justice, activism, and the human condition. His art served as a powerful form of visual communication, often conveying messages of love, unity, and resistance against oppression. Haring used his platform and accessible graphic style to campaign for important causes around LGBTQ issues, AIDS, apartheid in South Africa, and nuclear disarmament, to name a few. Though Haring’s work confronted these urgent issues, it always maintained a playful, spirited, and joyful—insisting on light even in life’s darkest moments. 

The retrospective exhibition at the Broad Museum offers visitors an immersive look into Haring’s world, showcasing a comprehensive collection of his paintings, sculptures, and works on paper and a keen look into how his work has always bridged the gap between art and the streets. The first Los Angeles retrospective of his work, this exhibition is a testament to Haring’s enduring legacy, allowing visitors to celebrate his artistic vision and experience firsthand the impact of his vibrant and socially conscious art.

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Photo: Keith Haring, Untitled (detail) (1982). Image courtesy of Gian Bochsler, Switzerland.