KEITH HARING, THREE LITHOGRAPHS 1, THREE LITHOGRAPHS SERIES, LITHOGRAPH IN RED AND BLACK ON WOVE PAPER, EDITION OF 80, 1985
Keith Haring’s print Three Lithographs 1 is from his series Three Lithographs from 1985 that shows an image of three stick figures rendered in black, white and red. This print is typical of Haring’s lithographs that feature his celebrated simplistic drawings in outrageous and comical compositions. This print is depicted in a style that mimics children’s drawings but depicts a message that is entirely adult in tone.
Three Lithographs 1 shows a large stick figure with an erect penis that merges into another figure. The figure that forms the end of the penis seems to be attacking a third stick figure on the right highlighted by red action lines emanating from its body. This image is charged with excitement and movement due to Haring’s use of line and dotted landscape, showing the figures to be either dancing or fighting.
Haring retains a hand-painted quality to this print, as most clearly seen in the red lines used, which is characteristic of the lithography printing method that is capable of producing exceptional detail.
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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.
