Art × Communication = Keith Haring
Organized by: Sapporo Art Museum (Sapporo Foundation for Arts and Culture), Hokkaido Broadcasting Co. (HBC)
Supported by: U.S. Consulate General Sapporo, Hokkaido, Sapporo City, Sapporo City Board of Education
In Cooperation with: Nakamura Keith Haring Collection, Yamato Transport Co., Ltd., Nippon Rika Kogyo Co., Ltd., Daimaru Fujii Central
Spontaneously created figures of people and animals, drawn with simple lines—Keith Haring’s art began with chalk graffiti on subway advertising boards in 1980s New York and quickly spread worldwide. While contemporary street artists like Banksy are often celebrated for gaining fame from street art, Haring was one of the pioneers of this movement.
Believing that art should be accessible to everyone, Haring opened the “Pop Shop,” where he sold art-themed goods, bringing art closer to people outside the wealthy elite. He also conducted workshops with children around the globe and produced posters addressing pressing social issues, such as anti-war and anti-nuclear advocacy, the fight against racial discrimination, and raising awareness about the AIDS epidemic. More than 30 years after his untimely death in 1990, Haring’s works continue to captivate audiences and inspire collaborations with fashion brands and other cultural outlets.
In a world increasingly marked by physical and emotional distance due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, Haring’s vision of using “art as a tool for communication” shines brighter than ever, bridging divides and fostering connection.
This exhibition features approximately 160 works from the valuable collection of the Nakamura Keith Haring Collection in Kobuchizawa, Yamanashi Prefecture.
INSTALLATION VIEW
