Hardcover: 96 pages

Publisher: TASCHEN (9 Jun. 2016)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 383653049X

ISBN-13: 978-3836530491

Product Dimensions: 21.6 x 1.3 x 26.2 cm

Art is for Everybody: The artist as activistOne of the key figures in the New York art world of the 1980s, Keith Haring (1958 1990) created a signature style that blended street art, graffiti, Pop, and cartoon elements to unique, memorable effect. With thick black outlines, bright colors, and kinetic figures, his public (and occasionally illegal) interventions, sculptures, and works on canvas and paper have become instantly recognizable icons of 20th century visual culture.From his first chalk drawings in the New York City subway stations, to his renowned Radiant Baby symbol, and his commissions for Swatch Watch and Absolut Vodka, Haring s work was both emblematic of the manic work ethic of 1980s New York, yet distinctive for its social-awareness. Belying their bright, playful aesthetics, his pieces often tackled intensely controversial socio-political issues, including racism, capitalism, religious fundamentalism, and the increasing impact of AIDS on New York s gay community, the latter foreshadowing his own death from the disease in 1990.In this vivid introduction to Haring s work, we explore the dynamic life and innovative spirit of this singular artist, who spent little more than a decade in the spotlight, but through the accessibility of his visual vocabulary and the strength of his political commitment became one of the most significant artists to emerge from New York s vibrant, downtown community.About the series: Each book in TASCHEN s Basic Art series features: a detailed chronological summary of the life and oeuvre of the artist, covering his or her cultural and historical importance a concise biography approximately 100 illustrations with explanatory captions"

（Keith Haring）1958年5月4号生于宾夕法尼亚，金牛座，是家中的长子，喜欢看DR.Seuss和Walt Disney的米老鼠卡通片，爸爸的漫画技巧传授对当年的小Haring影响深远。1976年高中毕业，其后到匹兹堡修读商业艺术，1978年于Pittsburg Arts and Crafts Center举行个人展览，同年到纽约school of Visual Arts 进修，并于大街小巷发现了在博物馆和画廊以外的艺术品——街头涂鸦。当时到处都能看见已成名的Kenny Scharf 和Jean-Michel Basquiat的涂鸦作品。初出茅庐的Keith Haring活跃于街头巷尾搞艺术，独特的波普风格引来涂鸦大师们的注意。
曾于纽约视觉艺术学院就学，作品带有浓厚的波普艺术风格，他早期的作品是在1980年创作的，当时他在纽约地铁的车站中，寻找黑色的海报待贴处，使用白色粉笔涂鸦，多为粗轮廓线，单色、空心的抽象人、动物等图案，他的作品经常犹如某种复杂花纹，各种图案充满了整个构图，往往没有透视，也没有肌理，但具有许多象征性的感情，如吠叫的狗，跪趴着的小人等。
1983年美国哥伦比亚电视台采访他在地铁站涂鸦，以及被逮捕的现场状况，使得他一夕间家喻户晓，随後在不断的展览与创作下，以涂鸭画家之姿进入了博物馆，作品价钱水涨船高，根据美国新闻周刊的报导，在1984年，凯斯·哈林的一张画「戴鳄鱼面具的狗」可喊价到美金两万元，除此之外，他还受邀进行许多博物馆的行动绘画创作。1985年，法国国立当代美术馆及荷兰国立美术馆为他举办了专题展。 1986年，他在纽约市苏活区开了一家贩卖自己作品的杂货店。就叫做「Pop Shop」。
1988年，他发现自己罹患艾滋病，1989年，凯斯哈林基金会成立，主要目地在于促进儿童福利规划。1990年，他以31岁的年纪死于艾滋病，他的画作在20世纪变成了醒目的视觉语言之一。

他的涂鸦作品是世界艺术宝库的重要组成部分，其创新和美学价值对于中国文化和艺术环境的营造具有一定的现实意义。