Keith Haring’s Pop Art Timelessly Captures Queer Issues

“The public has a right to art, art is for everybody.” —Keith Haring

Art and history seamlessly coincide in the Keith Haring exhibit at the MoPOP. Haring (1958-1990) is most renowned for his colorful art and unique shapes, which he often used as a vessel to bring light to social issues that were taboo or not widely spoken of during his time.

As Amalia Kozloff, the student curator for the Haring exhibit, notes, “A lot of his subject matter and his exuberance [resonates with people] …He created these images that are still iconic to us today, like the radiant baby and the barking dog. …Even if people don’t know Keith Haring’s name, they do recognize those images. It is a part of our shape language, it is a part of our universal language.”

MoPOP showcases an eclectic collection of Haring’s pieces. A great deal of his displayed work tackled contemporary social issues, ranging from drug abuse to the fight against racism. One of the causes most personal to Haring, however, was LGBTQ+ rights. Haring was a proud gay individual and an avid advocate for gay rights; this is reflected in his art. Unfortunately, he passed away at the age of thirty-one due to AIDS-related complications, a fact that is often overshadowed by the stellar quality of his art. 

T-shirt designed by Keith Haring featuring the phrase IGNORANCE = FEAR. / The Evergreen Echo

In the 1980s, he was one of the first activists to join Act Up. He used his art to create posters and shirts that generated awareness for AIDS. He utilized his distinctly recognizable shaped characters to bring more attention to the disease.  

One piece that stood out among the others was his series “The Bad Boys,” which depicted desires of his sexuality. The series of paintings were completed with a black and white scheme, using bold, thick lines to illustrate outlines of bodies from various angles. Through this work, Haring was able to present human desire as art; he painted in such a manner that portrayed the subject matter as liberating rather than erotic.

Haring’s work was so influential that in 1989, the U.S. Postal Service showcased his art on a commemorative cancellation mark that recognized the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. The image used as a postal stamp subtly shows two couples of the same sex dancing with one another. In 1986, the image was adopted by the Heritage of Pride as their logo, and since then has become a universal symbol for Pride.

“I don’t think art is propaganda, it should be something that liberates the soul” —Keith Haring

Although Haring was of utmost influence in the 1980s, his work has transcended his own lifetime and continues to resonate with a wide range of people from various generations. The MoPOP exhibit is just one example of how, 34 years after his passing, he remains relevant in today’s society. It raises the question: What makes Haring’s work truly stand the test of time?

Works from Haring on display at MoPOP / The Evergreen Echo

Kozloff helps us delve into this. “He has inspired artists since he started creating and caught the eye of not just the fine art community, but everyone else in America. He became famous very fast because his style was so unique. …He was reflecting the subcultures of NYC at the time. …It was really reflective, not just of the time but it became the inspiration.”

Kozloff also mentioned, “We actually brought in our MoPOP youth advisory board to curate a section; they did a call for youth artists. …In this exhibit, they curated a section and brought in three different artists that were all local and under the age of 19. They did art and wrote their own statements about why they are inspired by Haring.”

It is important to note that many of the societal issues that Haring exhibited through his art still ring true today, and perhaps that is one of the many reasons why his work stands the test of time. Until March 24, 2025, over 240 pieces of Haring’s work will be available for viewing at the Museum of Pop Culture.