Ludo 1
Ludo 1
Signed Print
Keith Haring
Lithograph, 1985
Signed Print Edition of 90
H 59cm x W 44cm
Critical Review
This striking lithograph by Keith Haring is the first of five in the Ludo series. Printed on white paper, red squiggle and cross designs fill the black outline of this central figure. The figure raises its arms high. In a departure from his usually narrow stick figures, this subject’s hips extend outward as wide as the feet and hands. Haring’s characteristic energy marks emanate from the head, elbows and feet, giving the standing figure a sense of movement. This reflects the motion of the chaotic red interior. The limited colour palate characterises much of Haring’s work and is most reminiscent of his Free South Africa series from the same year.
Ludo 1 is the only truly figurative image in the series. Dominated by the colour red, the following prints of the Ludo series depict eyes, limbs, and other body parts in abstracted forms. The series’ simplified forms, like Haring’s other work, betrays the influence of the Pop Art movement and a childhood filled with Dr. Seuss, Disney, and Looney Tunes. However, the Ludo series comes at a moment of transition for Haring. As the AIDS epidemic overtook his community in the mid-1980s, Haring’s artwork reflected his increasing involvement in advocacy for the disease.
