Graffiti Artist

MOCO Museum London opened a new exhibition showcasing late graffiti artist Keith Haring’s early works he drew on blacked-out advertising panels with chalk in various stations in the New York subway system. Voice of the Street: Keith Haring’s Subway Drawings is for an extremely limited run! 3 months only!

 

@urbanadventurerldn

New Keith Haring exhibition at @Moco Museum 𝙑𝙤𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙩: 𝙆𝙚𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙃𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜’𝙨 𝙎𝙪𝙗𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝘿𝙧𝙖𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 🚇 Before the world knew his name, Keith Haring sketched thousands of drawings on black paper advertising panels in many NYC subway stations 🚉 Be used nothing but white chalk, thus most of his artworks were erased within hours. However, some survived thanks to his fans who secretly tore the papers off the wall and brought them home. 30 of those chalk drawings are now exhibited at MOCO Museum London from 18th March for a limited 3-month run. The museum’s exhibition room is transformed into a New York subway station, so visitors can fully immerse into the 1980s vibes. #keithharing #graffitiart #graffitiartist #mocomusuemlondon #streetart

♬ Legendary – Bon Jovi

 

Voice of the Street: Keith Haring’s Subway Drawings

 

Photo: Urban Adventurer

 

We all know Keith Haring’s iconic drawings of radiant babies, barking dogs, and faceless figures.

Did you know, however, that his artistic career started in a very humble way in the New York subway system?

 

Photo: Urban Adventurer

 

Keith Haring created hundreds of chalk drawings in NYC subway stations between 1980 – 1985. As he often used the subway, he began drawing while waiting for his train on his way to work.

 

Armed with white chalks, Haring used black-out advertising panels to create his iconic faceless characters.

 

What initially started as a hobby, became a responsibility after a while. Although, many of his artworks were wiped out by the station staff, people loved them and often wished him good luck when they saw him drawing. Some even took one or two of Haring’s drawings down and brought them home.

 

Photo: Urban Adventurer

 

Over 40 years later, 30 of those original chalk drawings are on display in MOCO Museum London and visitors have the rare opportunity to see them for a strictly limited time.

 

MOCO Museum London Turned Into a NYC Subway Station

 

Photo: Urban Adventurer

 

To display the artworks in the most authentic way, MOCO Museum London turned one of their exhibition rooms into a NYC subway station to recreate the unique 1980s subway environment.

 

Photo: Urban Adventurer

 

Keith Haring’s bold drawings were not just artworks, but also social statements, and act of connections in a busy environment. The drawings created a universal visual language everybody could understand regardless of their language, culture or social background.

 

It was a backdrop against the 1980s social tension, political conservativism and AIDS crisis to which Haring responded with joy and defiance.

 

The Exhibition is Structured Around Five Core Themes

 

Photo: Urban Adventurer

 

Voice of the Street: Keith Haring’s Subway Drawings is celebrating the raw beginning of Haring’s career when he had to work fast relying on his muscle memory to create his early artworks.

 

Art without permission

Haring’s artworks were created in urgency and anonymity, and his drawings were uncommissioned and unprotected, often erased within hours after creation.

 

The subway as a stage

Haring chosen area was the NYC subway system where the city itself was the audience. “Art is for everybody” – this was Haring’s motto.

 

Universal language

Haring’s simple repeatable symbols created a unique universal language everybody could understand regardless their culture, language or social background while carrying complex social and political meaning.

 

Speed and intuition 

Haring had to draw very fast and under pressure, meaning he had to rely on muscle memory and instincts to be able to draw faster than he thought.

 

Silent protest, joyful resistance

 

1980s New York was full of social tension, AIDS crisis and political conservatism, to which Haring chose to respond with joyful resistance.

 

 

Voice of the Street: Keith Haring’s Subway Drawings contextualises Keith Haring’s life and legacy highlighting his commitment to accessibility, public engagement and his belief in acts of care.

 

Practical Info

 

Photo: Urban Adventurer

 

  

Address

MOCO Museum London | 1-4 Marble Arch, London W1H 7EJ

(Nearest station Marble Arch)

 

Opening Times

Limited 3-month run from 18^th March

Mon – Thu: 10am – 5pm

Fri – Sat: 10am – 6pm

Sun: 10am – 5pm

 

Tickets

Book your ticket on MOCO Museum’s official website or through Fever

 

Your ticket also includes full access to MOCO Museum’s permanent exhibitions, featuring works of such contemporary artists like Banksy, Yayoi Kusama, KAWS and Andy Warhol.

 

 

 

Ready for your next adventure? Love contemporary art? You still have time to visit ‘New Contemporaries’ at South London Gallery. The exhibition is completely free, featuring 26 selected artists as the most promising artists across the UK.