Mid-term Critical Art Review
INTE 398
Mackenzie Kerton
40058040
Karen Herland
March 6th, 2018
Many people have been affected by HIV/AIDS. Though progress has been made,
HIV/AIDS is still kept under scrutiny and oppressed by the majority. Through the hardships
faced also comes beauty and intellectualism. We see this through many artists, one being Keith
Haring
.
Haring was born on May 4th, 1958 in Pennsylvania. Throughout his youth and
adolescence, he held a deep love for art. Drawing in particular. After moving to New York City in
1978, Haring developed a true appreciation and passion for the expressive art pieces residing
around the city and in subway stations. He was hooked and began creating exhibitions of his
own to present to the world. His work, comprised mostly of social and cultural messages, was
known on an international level after only a few years. Sadly, in 1988, Haring was diagnosed
with AIDS. (The Keith Haring Foundation: Bio) The Keith Haring Foundation was created and
suddenly Keith
’
s approach to his art was aimed at raising awareness and killing the stigma
surrounding the disease that had altered his life and the way he was perceived by the masses.
There is a distinct difference in his works before and after his diagnosis. The three pieces being
analyzed are
Untitled
(1982),
Rebel with Many Causes
(1989), and
Fight AIDS Worldwide
(1990). Through the analysis, the messages and the reactions will be discussed
.
An untitled piece created in 1982 depicts two seemingly male cartoon figures expressing
ultimate happiness. In the background, the viewer can see the presence of a beaming heart.
