Keith Haring (American 1958-1990) Subway drawing White chalk on paper 101 x 158cm (39¾ x 62 in.) Provenance: Collection of Chandler Wade, former maintenance employee of NYC metro lines Acquired directly from the above by the present owner In the wake of the 1960s pop art movement, revolution hung in the air and artists such as Keith Haring broke through in the 1980s with a renewed sense of energy, innovation and vitality. There was an urgency and desire to communicate with the masses, to strike direct engagement with the public through accessible imagery that spoke direct to the people. This approach needed no critical intervention and made an attack on the traditional art historical canon and market. Haring was directly inspired by the work of Jean Christo, whose land art revolutionised the way people thought about art and what it meant. The way Christo brought art to the land and the public inspired Haring's initial series which he created throughout the New York City subway stations. Between 1980 and 1985 Haring drew over 5,000 chalk drawings on black pieces of paper which were being used to cover blank advertising space. Born in 1958 in Pennsylvania, Haring's childhood was filled with illustrations that sparked the imagination, being the son of a an amateur cartoonist and watching the work of Walt Disney create iconic characters and motifs. In 1978 Haring studied painting at the New York school of visual arts. Through semiotics Haring was able to create his only language. Images represented words, words that the public could relate to. His works were simple, bold and most importantly instantly recognisable. Despite his works being fun, jovial and suitable for all ages, once recognised he could use his platforms to address social concerns such as the apartheid in South Africa. His semiotic 'language' gave a public voice to a young generation who felt unheard.