The King 1989

Curator: This is Keith Haring's "The King" from 1989, a mixed-media print showcasing his signature pop art style. The work features bold lines, vibrant colors, and a complex arrangement of figures and symbols. Editor: Wow, my initial impression is that it is an explosion of anxiety rendered with joy. Chaotic yet, somehow balanced. It has an overwhelming sense of the immediate present pressing in, even for a picture from 1989! Curator: Right. Considering Haring’s practice, particularly his engagement with street art, one could say he purposefully undermined traditional hierarchies of art making by using printmaking which allowed him to address a wider audience. He’s taking complex and even disturbing subjects and simplifying them in a way that invites anyone into the conversation. Editor: Absolutely. There is a conversation going on! It looks almost like the content of a dream--images and anxieties butted against one another--the crown with the images of police brutality underneath, the almost totemic red figure clutching at an hourglass... Curator: And let's consider his use of color. The primary colors, red, yellow, and green, add a playful touch, almost reminiscent of children's drawings. But beneath that surface are heavy references to capitalism, religion, and social inequity. These symbols were a reaction against the times and are a part of Haring’s wider practice rooted in activism. Editor: It’s interesting to see Haring bring these social issues to the forefront using a seemingly simple visual vocabulary. The radiant crown evokes religious iconography, the golden calf... but also a celebration of powerful figures. The skeleton almost seems trapped at the bottom—beneath the weight of everything that's piled on top. Curator: Exactly. In “The King”, Haring layers socio-political commentary with striking imagery. Haring challenged artistic conventions not only through his unique style but also his approach to the making of art. Editor: Looking at this again, it really shows us how potent art can be when it reflects and engages with the issues of its time... almost like it's frozen a moment, just there waiting for us. I wonder what Keith would think about now.