KEITH HARING, SELF PORTRAIT, SIGNED SCREEN PRINT, EDITION OF 25, 1985
Self Portrait is an amusing screen print from 1985 by Keith Haring that shows a surreal depiction of the artist in his characteristic linear style. Haring’s face forms the central focus of the image, but it is unusual that this portrait shows the artist’s head attached to the body of an animal with sharp claws.
This portrait is set against a plain black backdrop, framed with a bright red, crayon-like line as the only use of colour in the image. Self Portrait is rare in its depiction of the artist himself, rendered with facial details that make him instantly recognisable. In contrast to his famous energetic prints of androgynous, dancing figures, this print shows a specific portrait that doesn’t aim to speak to a universalised public feeling.
Haring’s portrayal of his head attached to the body of an indiscernible animal produces a comically jarring effect that catches the attention of the viewer. This print is indicative of Haring’s rapid rise to fame and proliferation of his self-image. Self Portrait could have been used as a form of self-promotion by the artist, or more likely an ironic play on this idea of the artist’s self-portrait.
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ABOUT KEITH HARING
Known for his bold graphic style and playful sense of humour, Keith Haring is one of the most influential and adored artists of the 20th century.
Born in Pennsylvania, in 1958, Haring was a talented draughtsman as a child and developed his cartoonish style at the hands of his father and the work of Walt Disney and Dr Seuss. However it would take some time before he realised he could marry this kind of drawing with being a fine artist. Upon graduating from high school he enrolled in a commercial art school before realising he had little interest in pursuing a career as an illustrator or graphic designer. After dropping out of college he joined the hippie movement and hitchhiked across the country where he made anti-Nixon t-shirts to pay for food and Grateful Dead tickets. Learn more about Keith Haring.
