Keith Haring, Flowers (1) 1990 from the Flowers Portfolio

Artist: Keith Haring (1958 - 1990)
Title:Flowers (1) 1990 from the Flowers Portfolio
Reference:Littman, Cantz, Stuttgart, p. 165
Series:Flowers Suite, 1990
Medium:Silkscreen ink on Coventry Paper
Sheet Size:39" x 51" (99 x 129.5 cm)
Edition:Numbered from the edition of 100 in pencil in lower right margin.
Signature:This work is hand signed by Keith Haring in pencil in lower right margin.
Condition:This work is in excellent condition.
ID #w-6805

Historical Description

Keith Haring’s Flowers 1, 1990 from the Flowers portfolio features a bright and colorful scene of a figure plucking flowers on a sunny day. The thick black line figures that Haring was famous for are present in this composition alongside vibrant pastel colors. The silkscreen ink that Haring used to create this print were allowed to drip down the paper, creating thin lines of colorful drips that stand out in contrast to the solid black lines. Haring often tackled heavy issues like death, race and sexuality. This print has a childlike lightheartedness to it, as many of Haring’s works did. The callback to easily read and understood visual symbols, like the cartoons of our childhood, creates the perfect vehicle for Haring to delve into deeper and more complex issues. By using bright colors and simple lines, Haring’s work teaches us about the moral issues the artist was interested in in a way that is easy for us to understand and visually interesting to look at.

Created in 1990, Keith Haring’s Flowers 1 from the Flowers portfolio is a silkscreen ink on Coventry Paper. This work is hand-signed by Keith Haring, dated and numbered from the edition of 100 in pencil in the lower right margin.

Keith Haring Flowers Series:

Keith Haring's "Flowers" series is a vibrant and iconic body of work that showcases the artist's unique style and his exploration of themes such as love, nature, and the cycle of life. Created in the 1980s, the "Flowers" series features Haring's distinctive use of bold lines, vibrant colors, and playful imagery.

Haring's fascination with flowers can be traced back to his childhood experiences growing up in Pennsylvania, where he was exposed to the natural world and developed a love for drawing. In his "Flowers" series, he combines his interest in nature with his desire to create art that was accessible and relatable to a wide audience.

The "Flowers" series is characterized by stylized and simplified floral motifs, often depicted as smiling faces or playful characters. Haring's flowers are rendered with dynamic lines and bold colors, exuding a sense of energy and joy. The repetitive and rhythmic patterns in the series create a lively and vibrant visual experience.

Haring's use of flowers as a subject matter is rich with symbolism. Flowers are universally associated with beauty, growth, and the cycle of life. In the "Flowers" series, Haring explores these themes, capturing the essence of vitality, transformation, and the interconnectedness of all living things.

The "Flowers" series also reflects Haring's interest in the power of art to transcend barriers and create a sense of unity. His use of simple and recognizable imagery, such as flowers, allowed his works to resonate with diverse audiences, regardless of cultural or linguistic backgrounds.

Haring's "Flowers" series extends beyond traditional canvases and encompasses various mediums and formats. He created large-scale murals, public installations, and even adorned subway stations with his floral motifs. By bringing art to public spaces, Haring aimed to democratize viewership and increase accessibility to the aesthetic experience.

In addition to their aesthetic appeal, the "Flowers" series carries underlying messages of love, peace, and environmental consciousness. Haring believed in the power of love as a unifying force, and his flower imagery embodies this belief, evoking a sense of harmony and interconnectedness.

The "Flowers" series remains highly influential and beloved by art enthusiasts around the world. Haring's bold and recognizable style, combined with the universal symbolism of flowers, has made these works enduring icons of contemporary art. His use of accessible imagery and his commitment to spreading messages of love and unity continue to inspire artists and engage audiences to this day.

In conclusion, Keith Haring's "Flowers" series is a vibrant and joyful exploration of nature, love, and interconnectedness. Through his bold lines, vibrant colors, and playful imagery, Haring captures the beauty and vitality of flowers while conveying messages of love, unity, and environmental consciousness. The series stands as a testament to Haring's belief in the transformative power of art and its ability to transcend barriers and touch the hearts of people from all walks of life.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
Keith Haring Flowers (1), 1990 from the Flower portfolio is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonnés and texts (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoices that will accompany the sale of the work).

1. Littman, K, & Haring K. Keith Haring, Editions on Paper 1982-1990: The Complete Printed Works, Cantz, Stuttgart, 1997. Keith Haring’s Flowers 1, 1990 is listed and illustrated on p.165.
2. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany our Keith Haring’s Flowers 1, 1990.

About the Framing:
Framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, this beautiful Keith Haring Flowers 1 1990 from the Flowers portfolio is presented in a complementary moulding and finished with silk-wrapped mats and optical grade Plexiglas.

Subject Matter: Flowers