Good Morning World!
Keith Haring died on February 16th 1990. It’s strange to think that only two years later I’d be living in New York City. Our life paths came so close. If he had survived AIDS, I have a feeling we would have met. I guess it wasn’t meant to be.
I first came across Keith’s work through John, my first boyfriend. He had a poster of his work in his apartment in Pacific Heights. I’m just now realizing that I met John days before Keith’s passing. A few days ago, I talked to John and I found out that he had driven him in 1986 while Keith was in San Francisco painting murals at Club Dv8. He says Keith was “low key, soft spoken, and friendly.” I now vaguely remember these paintings. (Interesting side note: in1996ish I sneaked into the VIP room at Club Dv8, and since I was not wearing a shirt, I had my back autographed by Nina Hagen; it was awesome).
Keith’s work opened my eyes to a whole new world. I was drawn to the simplicity of lines and color; I felt an immediate connection. For the next couple of years, I imitated his work, I didn’t know better. As an artist, I didn’t yet know who I was. Though I didn’t think of myself as ‘artist’ back then, I now see that I was. I was just starting off. It wasn’t until I started my series of LITTLE Girls in 1998 that I found my calling and I stopped the imitation and in some ways said good-bye to Keith, but thankfully you can still see his influence in my work.
The piece here is 20 years old; it’s Untitled, 1991. It’s strange to look at it now and see how I’ve evolved. Today, It’s stored in my closets, but back then, it hung above my bed and I remember John telling me that, because of the green penis, I should consider taking it down when my parents came to visit. I refused; I left it up. They said nothing ☺
I’m almost done reading Keith’s authorized biography; but because of a newfound inspiration, I’m taking my sweet little old time. Thank you Keith for the beauty of work you left behind. Our world is a much better place because of you. And because of you, I’ve found my calling. Though we didn’t get a chance to meet, I feel you watching over me. In this past week, the outpour of ideas has been a little overwhelming, but amazing! Cheers to you! (To be continued yet again…)
Happy Memorial Day weekend.
