MOPOP Presents Keith Haring: A Radiant Legacy Opening October 11th, 2024

The new exhibition invites visitors to experience the vibrant art and activism of Keith Haring, exploring his lasting impact on contemporary culture and social justice

SEATTLE--()--The Museum of Pop Culture (MOPOP), in collaboration with PANART Connections, is excited to announce the opening of its newest exhibition, Keith Haring: A Radiant Legacy, on October 11, 2024. This exhibition will run through March 24, 2025, offering visitors an in-depth exploration of the life, work, and enduring impact of one of the most influential American artists of the 1980s.

Keith Haring: A Radiant Legacy highlights the extraordinary career of Keith Haring (1958–1990), whose bold lines, vivid colors, and iconic symbols defined the cultural pulse of his time. Haring’s art, spanning mediums such as paintings, prints, posters, sculptures, and street art, reflected and responded to the world around him.

“Keith Haring’s work not only shaped the Pop Art movement but also delivered powerful messages of social activism, making art accessible to all,” said Michele Y. Smith, Chief Executive Officer of MOPOP. “This exhibition captures the essence of Haring’s vibrant life and the profound impact his art continues to have on contemporary culture. Through A Radiant Legacy, we hope to inspire visitors to see the world through Haring’s eyes and understand the lasting importance of his messages.”

The exhibition is organized around several key concepts central to Haring’s work:

  • Social Activism and Public Art: Contributions to AIDS awareness, anti-apartheid movements, and other social justice causes.
  • Iconography and Symbolism: Signature symbols like the Radiant Baby and Barking Dog, and the use of bold lines and vivid colors.
  • Cultural Impact and Legacy: Influence on contemporary art, dedication to community involvement, and the enduring popularity of his work.

Visitors will experience themed sections that explore Haring’s iconography, subway drawings, street art, and social justice, as well as a recreation of The Pop Shop. The exhibit will include both Haring’s commercial work and personal art collection. A key part of the exhibit is a section curated by MOPOP’s Youth Advisory Board (YAB), featuring works by local youth artists inspired by Haring’s legacy. There will also be a community resources wall providing information on local organizations and initiatives aligned with Haring’s values.

For more information about the exhibition and related programming, visit MOPOP's website.

ABOUT MUSEUM OF POP CULTURE (MOPOP)

MOPOP is a leading-edge nonprofit museum in Seattle, dedicated to the ideas and risk-taking that fuel contemporary pop culture. With a mission to make creative expression a life-changing force by offering experiences that inspire and connect our communities, MOPOP activates the world-shaping power of pop culture through participative experiences, discovery, and play. We reach multigenerational audiences through our collection, exhibitions, educational programs, and community partnerships. At MOPOP, artists, audiences, and ideas converge in order to bring understanding, interpretation, and scholarship to the pop culture of our time.

Contacts

Nadia Tahoun
MOPOP@scoutlab.com

Contacts

Nadia Tahoun
MOPOP@scoutlab.com