Looking at my pattern work, it would be no surprise to say that my bold graphic style has drawn inspiration from the legend himself; Keith Haring. But it would be dishonest to say he has been a standpoint of inspiration for my artwork from an early age. In fact it was only in recent years that I finally put a face to the bold animated characters that I have seen far and wind across the internet and galleries. It was one image in fact that I saw on my Instagram discovery feed that I instantly connected with:
In this image I was drawn to the bold graphic lines and vivid t-shirt prints all collected in a room that produced to me an optical illusion, an immersive experience in which the clothing stood out yet complimented the bold, almost psychedelic pattern beneath it. This was the moment I fell in love with his work and knew I connected with it on such a level that Haring will forever be an inspiration to my practice. To me he is the blueprint of combining the commercial graphic/digital-esque aesthetic with the excitement and movement that can be created through art.
Earlier this year I had the pleasure of seeing his exhibition at the Tate in Liverpool, what I anticipated before my arrival at the gallery was a spectacle of colour and pattern. I got exactly that and MORE. What I didn't expect was to be taken on a journey, a journey through Keiths early pieces right up until his late works which really presented a darker chaotic presence as his illness took hold. His bright vidid characters are all so childlike yet underneath were messages of social injustice and political statements. This to me is how I want my artwork to present itself, through bright, vivid illustrations that on first glance present a joyous and happy experience and yet on a deeper glance present to a viewer a question, a statement that leaves them thinking of the world around them. Without allowing an audience to question society from my work I feel I will have potentially failed on my mission, to connect visually with a person and leave them wanting to start a conversation.
The most inspiring element to me of Harings work is his aim to inspire change and to reflect on the world around him whilst creating an amazing visual experience. Watching an old tape at the exhibition saw a young Keith painting in a small white room. The way he confidently used his brush without hesitation and consistently flowed with the pattern has since made me question on where I can improve with creating my pattern, to work at something with confidence and ease, unafraid of mistakes, means you are creating a piece of artwork that is raw and real. From growing up with a background in Graphic Design it is so often easy to rectify errors digitally to create what I would call a 'perfect' piece. What Haring has taught me amongst his strive to create whilst battling with the awful disease that is AIDS, is to allow myself to be imperfect sometimes. There is beauty in pieces of art where you can see the artist has flowed almost spiritually with a piece and allowed room for error, in viewing others mistakes we as humans find solace, as it allows us to see things through a true unfiltered lens.
I will always continue to mention Haring throughout my work. The exhibition was incredible and presented the story of his life through his work and showed how much he wanted to strive for communities and those around him to work on bettering society.
And this is why I have two of his pieces above my bed side table, as a constant reminder of who continues to inspire me everyday.
R.I.P Keith Haring 1958 - 1990.
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