Untitled 1982

Here, we see an untitled painting by Keith Haring who created much of his work in the 1980’s, a time when a conservative political climate was on the rise. Haring’s distinctive, cartoonish style often incorporated symbolism to explore themes relevant to the era, such as political injustice, drug abuse and the AIDS epidemic. As a gay man living through this crisis, this piece offers an emotional, albeit stark narrative. The bright colors belie the disturbing content: a large, menacing figure looms over smaller, vulnerable ones. This imagery can be interpreted as a critique of power structures that marginalize and threaten certain groups, and can be seen as an allegory for the oppressions enacted on marginalized communities. Haring’s work serves as a reminder of the importance of empathy and solidarity in the face of social division.