Illustration of two connected green figures on a pink background

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. 

Illustration of a red barking dog on a white 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. 

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.

Illustration of a red person on a white background

“Dancing Figure” is a reoccurring style of a person in Keith Haring’s art. Keith Haring was born in Reading, Pennsylvania, on May 4th, 1958. He loved drawing from an early age and went to the School of Visual Arts in New York where he found an alternative art community. From 1980 to 1985, Haring did a lot of his work in the subways of New York. Many commuters admired his work as he experimented and honed his craft. A lot of his work was set in public. The Crack is Wack mural on FDR Drive is one of his most famous works. He painted a mural on the Berlin wall in 1986. 

He held his first exhibition in 1981 at the Westbeth Painters Space. He gained popularity in 1982 at his exhibition at the Tony Shafrazi Gallery. The Pop Shop opened in April 1986 where items with his art were sold. It let people have access to his work at a low cost. This was not the norm at the time and Haring received some criticism for it. He ignored it and kept the shop running. 

In 1989, Haring created the Keith Haring Foundation in response to his diagnosis with AIDS a year prior. The purpose was to, “provide funding and imagery to AIDS organizations and children’s programs, and to expand the audience for Haring’s work through exhibitions, publications and the licensing of his images”. He died in 1990. 

Illustration of a lightbulb on a white background

The growing use of technology in everyday life was a common theme in Keith Haring’s artwork. Although Haring often depicted images of technology (lightbulbs/electricity, computers, television etc.) in his art, he ultimately had an ambivalent attitude towards man-made tools and innovations.

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.

Illustration of a yellow "batman" with wings and an X on its chest on a purple background

Keith Haring's Batman is a well known illustration that he often featured in street art and murals. Inspired by popular cartoonists Dr. Seuss and Walt Disney, Haring's Batman is a simplistic character with wings and the letter "X" across his chest.

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.

Illustration of a crawling white baby with wings on a light blue background

The flying baby is a combination of two powerful images common in Keith Haring’s work - the “radiant baby” and the “angel”. Haring used various repeating symbols and images in his art, often rendered in bold black outlines with bright primary colors. Haring’s “radiant baby” is one of his most iconic images and represents youthful innocence, purity, goodness, and potential. Haring grew up in a Christian family and, although he came to reject the religious beliefs of his youth, often used religious symbols and motifs, such as angels, in his art.  

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

Illustration of a face with an open mouth and teeth on a green background

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.

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.

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.

An illustration of a white person on their hands and knees with a black border. There are black lines surrounding the person and the background is red.

Keith Haring’s Radiant Baby is one of his most famous. The image represents a pure and positive experience of human existence and is symbolic of Haring’s hope for the future. Although Radiant Baby derives its origin from Christianity it has been used in many of Haring’s other works associated with racism, drug addiction, AIDS awareness and tolerance. 

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.