Keith Haring Dancing Heart

Illustration of a red heart being held up in the air by three figures on a white background

Keith Haring’s image of two adults and a child holding a vibrant looking heart was used in the first advertising campaign for the Broadway musical “Falsettos”, which premiered in 1992. Haring used various repeating symbols and images in his art, often rendered in bold black outlines with bright primary colors. The heart and human figures portrayed in this drawing reflect Haring’s optimistic belief in humanity and the power of love while the lines represent energy and movement.

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.