All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up. Pablo Picasso

Usually outside, in public. Public Art Art for everyone to see. Usually outside, in public. Ra’anana

Graffiti It is usually writing on the walls. Sometimes it also has pictures. It is usually painted or sprayed in public places (walls). Tel Aviv

Brasil On a train

Israel

Israel U.S.A.

Meet the artist and his art ….

Keith Haring was born on May 4, 1958, in Pennsylvania, USA.

His family Keith was the oldest of 4 children. He had 3 sisters: Kay, Karen and Kristel.

He died on February 16th 1990 at the age of 31.

His studies When he finished school he studied art in the Ivy School of Art in Pittsburgh and in the School of Visual Arts in New York.

The beginning He started to draw when he was a very small boy, learning to draw cartoons from his father.

New York He went to live in New York in 1978 . Because he had little money, Keith went everywhere in the subway in New York. One day, he saw empty black paper which was used to cover up old ads. Quickly he bought some white chalk and came back to draw.

Drawings in the subway walls He loved to draw in subway walls. He knew that this was the perfect place for him to draw. " I drew during the day, there were always people watching, from little kids to old ladies."

Keith began drawing his own graffiti on the streets Keith began drawing his own graffiti on the streets. He invented his own signature: an animal, which looked like a dog.

and a little person crawling on all fours, that became The Baby. "The Radiant Baby"

In this way, Keith began to build his own personal “vocabulary”. He wanted young people to understand his art.

The drawings were simple : pyramids flying saucers human figures winged figures television sets animals babies people with no faces

He became famous Soon the people of New York who rode the subways began recognizing these drawing, although they had no idea who made them. Keith started to become famous. The people liked his work very much. Later it was also on TV and in the newspaper.

He drew about birth, death, love, friendship and war He drew about birth, death, love, friendship and war. About the real world and what young people feel, with no difference of age, race or color.

He wanted his drawings and pictures to be on the streets so that everybody would be able to see them. He wanted his art to be outside not inside museums.

He drew in : schools hospitals murals on the streets youth clubs swatch watches parks and other public places

In the USA

He also did sculptures and murals in many places around the world:

Berlin- Germany Paris- France Monte Carlo London- England Pisa- Italy California- USA

He was inspired by children’s drawings and scribbles. He loved children and worked with them helping them draw murals in clubs, hospitals and schools in their poor neighborhoods. He also taught them art. “There is nothing that makes me happier than making a child smile."

The Pop Shop His pictures and sculptures became very famous and very expensive. Keith wanted everybody to be able to buy his work so he opened his Pop Shop to sell his art on posters, buttons, magnets, T-shirts, toys and games.

The Keith Haring Foundation Keith Haring wanted to help people and through his foundation he still helps them, mainly : Giving education and opportunities to poor children Helping people with AIDS

Keith Haring