KEITH HARING, THE BLUEPRINT DRAWINGS 15, THE BLUEPRINT DRAWINGS SERIES, SIGNED SCREEN PRINT, EDITION OF 33, 1990
The Blueprint Drawings 15 is a screen print from Keith Haring’s The Blueprint Drawings series (1990) showing two numbered frames with a barking dog, some human figures and a dotted landscape in each. Depicted in his trademark linear style, 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.
Read more about The Blueprint Drawings by Keith Haring.
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.
