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號生於賓夕法尼亞，金牛座，是傢中的長子，喜歡看DR.Seuss和Walt Disney的米老鼠卡通片，爸爸的漫畫技巧傳授對當年的小Haring影響深遠。1976年高中畢業，其後到匹茲堡修讀商業藝術，1978年於Pittsburg Arts and Crafts Center舉行個人展覽，同年到紐約school of Visual Arts 進修，並於大街小巷發現瞭在博物館和畫廊以外的藝術品——街頭塗鴉。當時到處都能看見已成名的Kenny Scharf 和Jean-Michel Basquiat的塗鴉作品。初齣茅廬的Keith Haring活躍於街頭巷尾搞藝術，獨特的波普風格引來塗鴉大師們的注意。
曾於紐約視覺藝術學院就學，作品帶有濃厚的波普藝術風格，他早期的作品是在1980年創作的，當時他在紐約地鐵的車站中，尋找黑色的海報待貼處，使用白色粉筆塗鴉，多為粗輪廓綫，單色、空心的抽象人、動物等圖案，他的作品經常猶如某種復雜花紋，各種圖案充滿瞭整個構圖，往往沒有透視，也沒有肌理，但具有許多象徵性的感情，如吠叫的狗，跪趴著的小人等。
1983年美國哥倫比亞電視颱采訪他在地鐵站塗鴉，以及被逮捕的現場狀況，使得他一夕間傢喻戶曉，隨後在不斷的展覽與創作下，以塗鴨畫傢之姿進入瞭博物館，作品價錢水漲船高，根據美國新聞周刊的報導，在1984年，凱斯·哈林的一張畫「戴鰐魚麵具的狗」可喊價到美金兩萬元，除此之外，他還受邀進行許多博物館的行動繪畫創作。1985年，法國國立當代美術館及荷蘭國立美術館為他舉辦瞭專題展。 1986年，他在紐約市蘇活區開瞭一傢販賣自己作品的雜貨店。就叫做「Pop Shop」。
1988年，他發現自己罹患艾滋病，1989年，凱斯哈林基金會成立，主要目地在於促進兒童福利規劃。1990年，他以31歲的年紀死於艾滋病，他的畫作在20世紀變成瞭醒目的視覺語言之一。

他的塗鴉作品是世界藝術寶庫的重要組成部分，其創新和美學價值對於中國文化和藝術環境的營造具有一定的現實意義。