Pop Shop | Keith Haring (2024)

Pop Shop | Keith Haring (1)

© Keith Haring Foundation Photo by Tseng Kwong Chi | © Muna Tseng Dance Projects, Inc., New York

Keith Haring talks about the Pop Shop:

“The Pop Shop makes my work accessible. It’s about participation on a big level.”

Pop Shop | Keith Haring (3)
© Keith Haring Foundation Photo by Tseng Kwong Chi | © Muna Tseng Dance Projects, Inc., New York
Pop Shop | Keith Haring (4)
© Keith Haring Foundation Photo by Tseng Kwong Chi | © Muna Tseng Dance Projects, Inc., New York
Pop Shop | Keith Haring (5)
© Keith Haring Foundation Photo by Tseng Kwong Chi | © Muna Tseng Dance Projects, Inc., New York

“If I only made paintings in a gallery I would probably be frustrated.”

Pop Shop | Keith Haring (6)

© Keith Haring Foundation Photo by Tseng Kwong Chi | © Muna Tseng Dance Projects, Inc., New York

“Here’s the philosophy behind the Pop Shop: I wanted to continue this same sort of communication as with the subway drawings. I wanted to attract the same wide range of people, and I wanted it to be a place where, yes, not only collectors could come, but also kids from the Bronx. The main point was that we didn’t want to produce things that would cheapen the art. In other words, this was still an art statement.”

“The use of commercial projects has enabled me to reach millions of people whom I would not have reached by remaining an unknown artist. I assumed, after all, that the point of making art was to communicate and contribute to culture.”

Pop Shop | Keith Haring (7)

© Keith Haring Foundation Photo by Tseng Kwong Chi | © Muna Tseng Dance Projects, Inc., New York

Pop Shop | Keith Haring (8)“There is nothing negative about a baby, ever.”

Pop Shop | Keith Haring (9)

© Keith Haring Foundation Photo by Tseng Kwong Chi | © Muna Tseng Dance Projects, Inc., New York

Pop Shop | Keith Haring (10)

© Keith Haring Foundation Photo by Tseng Kwong Chi | © Muna Tseng Dance Projects, Inc., New York

The Pop Shop opened its doors in 1986 at 292 Lafayette Street in the Soho neighborhood of Manhattan, NYC. Haring saw the Pop Shop as an extension of his work, a fun boutique where his art could be accessible to everyone. The Shop sold T-shirts and novelty items with Keith’s imagery as well as some of his contemporaries, like Kenny Scharf and Jean Michel Basquiat. Haring later opened a Pop Shop in Tokyo in 1987. Haring painted the inside walls of both shops, creating an immersive experience into his aesthetic. The Pop Shop Tokyo closed in 1988 and the NYC Pop Shop location closed in September of 2005. In 2006 the exhibition Keith Haring: Art and Commerce examined the context and history of the Pop Shop, and in 2009, as part of the group exhibition Pop Life, the Tate Modern reconstructed aspects of the New York Pop Shop to recreate the feeling of the original. The original Pop Shop ceiling was donated to the New York Historical Society and is installed in its entry.

Pop Shop | Keith Haring (11)

© Keith Haring Foundation Photo by Tseng Kwong Chi | © Muna Tseng Dance Projects, Inc., New York

Pop Shop | Keith Haring (2024)

FAQs

Does Keith Haring's Pop Shop still exist? ›

Though there is no longer a physical store, items can still be purchased today through an online Pop Shop. The Pop shop also allowed Haring to solidify some of his now most well-known imagery.

What does the dog symbolize in Keith Haring? ›

Haring's Dog symbolises the abuser of authority and power.

Haring's Barking Dog, with its mouth gaping open, represents the artist's suspicion of socio-political authority.

What does Keith Haring symbolize? ›

These symbols, which Haring aptly named 'icons', include the sharp barking dog, the crawling infant, the yellow angel, and the winged red devil. These icons not only represent Haring's unique visual language but also serve as a bridge between art and the public space.

Is Keith Haring alive? ›

Did Andy Warhol like Keith Haring? ›

Their friendship was iconic, with Warhol's recognition of Haring's talent and Haring's reverence for Warhol's trailblazing persona creating a powerful creative synergy. Together, they hosted events and supported each other on projects that left an indelible mark on the art world​​​​.

When did Pop Shop close? ›

The Pop Shop was a store owned by pop artist Keith Haring. Haring opened the first Pop Shop in New York City in 1986 (which closed in 2005) and later one in Tokyo (which closed in 1988). Haring viewed the Pop Shop as an extension of his work.

What does Keith Haring's three eyed face mean? ›

Haring initially developed the three-eyed face by accident, as he was painting a smiley face, he left too much room between the eyes, so he simply added a third one. The public began speculating and interpreting it as a spiritual reference, so Haring simply went with it. Dog. Dogs are one of Haring's most famous images ...

Why do people love Keith Haring? ›

His work started on the streets

While he is known for his colourful works and his iconic motifs such as the radiant baby and the barking dog, much of his work responded to contemporary social and political events. This included the battle to end Apartheid, the AIDS epidemic and drug abuse.

Why did Keith Haring become popular? ›

New York City, U.S. Haring's popularity grew from his spontaneous drawings in New York City subways—chalk outlines of figures, dogs, and other stylized images on blank black advertising spaces. After gaining public recognition, he created colorful larger scale murals, many commissioned.

When did Keith Haring get diagnosed? ›

Haring was diagnosed with AIDS in 1988. In 1989, he established the Keith Haring Foundation, its mandate being to provide funding and imagery to AIDS organizations and children's programs, and to expand the audience for Haring's work through exhibitions, publications and the licensing of his images.

Who is Keith Haring heart? ›

What is the meaning of the Heart? Similarly to the radiant baby, Haring's Heart motif, often seen being held aloft by a crowd of dancing figures, is a symbol of optimism and love.

Who owns the rights to Keith Haring? ›

The Keith Haring Foundation owns the international copyright to all artworks created by Keith Haring. All requests for image use must be reviewed and approved by the Foundation, and his artwork may not be reproduced without our express written permission. We review requests on a per case basis.

Why is Keith Haring stuff everywhere? ›

His dedication to the notion of accessible art really paved the way for his designs ending up on t-shirts – in fact, this is an idea that Haring embraced throughout his career. His “Pop Shop” opened its doors in 1986 in the Soho neighbourhood of Manhattan, NYC.

When did Pop Art end? ›

An art movement of the 1950s to the 1970s that was primarily based in Britain and the United States. Pop artists are so called because of their use of imagery from popular culture.

Where is Keith Haring located? ›

On February 16, 1990, Haring died of AIDS-related complications at his LaGuardia Place apartment in Greenwich Village. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered in a field near Bowers, Pennsylvania, just south of his hometown of Kutztown.

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