When Canadian interior designer Tommy Smythe was last in town, he invited me along to the Brooklyn Museum to see the Keith Haring: 1978–1982 exhibit. It was a bit of the blind leading the blind getting there but luckily we made it. I was familiar with Keith Haring's work but this show introduced me to so many more facets of his art. It was fascinating to watch the videos of him painting in what can only be described as a methodical trance. The pieces above was created from one long continuous length of paper and I love how you can see the drip marks from the paint. The exhibit also showcases his notebooks, photographs, and subway drawings, as well as his friendship with artists Jean-Michel Basquiat and Kenny Scharf. Keith Haring died on February 16, 1990 from complications from AIDS at the age of 31. A sad tragedy that we are lucky doesn't happen as often these days. Keith Haring: 1978–1982 is lovely tribute his legacy and definitely worth the trek to Brooklyn.
Keith Haring subway drawing above a work by Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Interior designer Tommy Smythe taking a photo.
Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic
