Keith
Haring: Journey of the Radiant Baby
February
18 - August 6, 2006
 The
exhibition, Keith Haring: Journey of the
Radiant Baby, is the first to explore Haring’s
transformation of 1980s youth culture into
an artistic vision that reshaped the art
world and attracted a worldwide audience.
The
exhibition, co-curated by Dr. Rachael Arauz
and Ron Roth, brings together nearly 100
of Haring’s works, including his trademark
painted tarps, sculpture, prints, furniture
and paintings, many of which have never
before been exhibited. Exhibition highlights
include a selection of the original New
York Subway drawings that played a critical
role in establishing his fame and one of
his last works, a haunting gold finished
altarpiece, on exclusive loan from the Cathedral
Church of Saint John the Divine in New York
City.
This
exhibition and accompanying catalogue document
for the first time the unique body of work
he completed through collaborations with
young friends and artists such as LA II,
Kenny Scharf, Basquiat, Sean Kalish, Zena
Scharf, Sean Lennon, and Nina Clemente.
The exhibition also includes some of Haring’s
most memorable public art projects including
a section of the Chicago Mural Project from
1989, the mural he produced for the White
House Easter Egg Hunt in 1988, and the installation
of the complete construction fence he designed
for Marquette University in 1983. Part of
the exhibition is devoted to Haring’s
association with his hometown in Kutztown,
Pennsylvania, and includes newly discovered
work from his years growing up there.
 Haring
remains one of the most popular and controversial
artists of the late twentieth century. Known
for his combination of talent, charisma
and protean energy, he created unified,
powerful compositions with compelling imagery
that captured the attention of the public
and catapulted him into international recognition
that continues to this day.
Born
in Reading, PA in 1958, Haring was raised
in nearby rural Kutztown. In 1978 he moved
to New York City and soon became one of
the best-known artists of the New York art
scene, exhibiting extensively in galleries,
museums and public art projects in the United
States and Europe. Throughout his career
Haring actively supported many philanthropic
causes, especially those relating to AIDS
education and children. Haring died February
16, 1990 at the age of 31.
The
exhibition is underwritten by the Marlin
and Ginger Miller Endowment Fund which supports
major art exhibitions at the Reading Public
Museum. Additional support was received
by Jerry and Carolyn Holleran, June and
Andrew Maier II, and grants by the Pennsylvania
Council on the Arts, Pennsylvania Historical
and Museum Commission, and the National
Endowment for the Arts.
The
Reading Public Museum’s regular hours
are Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday
from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesday 11 a.m.
to 8 p.m.; and Sunday Noon to 5 p.m. Entrance
to the Arboretum and THE MUSEUM SHOP is
free. Regular Museum admission is $7 for
adults (ages 18 - 60) and $5 for seniors/children/student
(with ID). Museum Members and children under
4 are free. Guest passes are not valid for
this exhibition.
Top:
Keith Haring photographed by Robin Holland,
1981.
Right:
Untitled, 1983, vinyl paint on
vinyl tarpaulin, 96 x 96”, The Eli
and Edythe L. Broad Collection, Los Angeles,
California, Keith Haring artwork ©
Estate of Keith Haring
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