Keith Haring (1958-90) was one of the most renowned young artists, filmmakers, performers, and musicians whose work responded to the urban street culture of the 1980s.

Inspired by artists whose graffiti covered the city’s subways, Haring began to draw in white chalk on black paper he covered vacant advertising panels with.

Not only was he able to reach a large and diverse audience with his subway drawings, but eventually the subway became, as Haring said, a “laboratory” for working out his ideas. As early as 1980, Haring began exhibiting in galleries and museums around the world.