Keith Haring born 5 May 1958 (d. 1990)
Keith Haring was born in Reading, Pennsylvania, and studied graphic art in Pittsburg. After coming out, he moved to New York where he became influenced by graffiti art and studied at the School of Visual Arts.With his distinctive style - strong graphic outlines, simple but effective stick figures and bold primary colours - he quickly moved from the streets to international art galleries. His work is part of the iconography of the 1980s.
He was a tireless AIDS campaigner and, tragically, succumbed to the disease himself in 1990 at the age of 31.Shortly before he died, he established the Keith Haring Foundation to maintain and enhance his legacy of supporting children's and AIDS organisations.
