The Blueprint Drawings 15
The Blueprint Drawings 15
Signed Print
Keith Haring
Screenprint, 1990
Signed Print Edition of 33
H 120cm x W 108cm
Critical Review
This signed screen print from 1990 is a limited edition of 33 from Keith Haring’s The Blueprint Drawings series. Depicted in his trademark linear style, The Blueprint Drawings 15 shows two numbered frames with a barking dog, some human figures and a dotted landscape in each. Haring uses black ink against a white backdrop and simplified form in this print.
The first frame shows two figures running away from the barking dog and the frame beneath shows four figures jumping over the same dog as though diving. The barking dog has become an iconic symbol created by Haring, first appearing in his subway drawing series from 1980-1985. Emerging as a symbol to represent authoritarian government, abuse of power and oppressive regimes, this print speaks to the way in which Haring warns the viewer to overcome those in power, rather than run away scared.
Reminiscent of Haring’s subway drawings from the early 1980s that only appeared as related sequences when viewers passed them on their way through the corridors. In The Blueprint Drawings series the artist was able to bring together individual scenes on a single print to create an entire storyline. In doing this, Haring could begin to communicate more complex ideas through the use of his graphic symbols.
