Keith Haring Dancing Barking Dog

Illustration of a red barking dog standing upright on a blue background

Keith Haring's Barking Dog is one of his most iconic figures, featuring in much of his work throughout the 1980s and until his death in 1990. The dog appears as both a solo figure and as part of multi panel comics and large scale illustrations and is depicted on all fours and standing on its hind legs. Here, the lines surrounding the figure imply that it is dancing. 

Keith Allen Haring (May 4, 1958 – February 16, 1990) was an artist and social activist from Pennsylvania whose work was influenced by the New York City street culture and graffiti art of the 1980s. A 1997 Vanity Fair article states that "some of his most characteristic imagery involved figures twirling around and playing together, happy but never aimless." Since Haring's death from AIDS-related illness in 1990, images he created that speak about racism, drug addiction, AIDS awareness and tolerance have become iconic.

The Keith Haring Foundation was established in 1989, and it concentrates in 2 areas of giving: “the support of organizations which provide educational opportunities to underprivileged children and the support of organizations which engage in education, prevention and care with respect to AIDS and HIV infection.”

This button is part of a 12 button series that was made by the Busy Beaver Button Co. for the Keith Haring Foundation's Pop Shop.