Keith Haring

Executed in 1986, this work is number 7 from an edition of 15 plus 7 AP, published by Edition Shellmann, Munich.

Collectors Contemporary, Singapore 
Acquired from the above by the present owner

The work is in excellent condition overall. There are no apparent condition issues with the work.
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One of the most astonishingly unique talents of his generation, Keith Haring imbued the present work with fascinating combinations of his knowledge of art history, his daily environment and his signature motifs. The Dog figure is reminiscent of the half-human half jackal Egyptian deity Anubis, god of the Underworld who leads souls into the afterlife. This deeply resonates with the context of AIDS epidemics which was spreading around in the East village community and taking many lives in the Eighties. Besides being highly symbolic, Egyptian art is also made of walls covered with graffiti-like hieroglyphs and Keith Haring’s syncretism finds its perfect expression in the composition of this Dog. Transferring hieroglyphs into the modern world results in the dancing and barking dogs, the television, the babies and the funky-looking x branded men are all surrounded by halos and rays, all of them filling in the body of the main figure. Men and dogs interact together and infuse energy, transgression and joy to the composition. Anubis is no longer the peaceful psychopomp from the mythology but the conveyor of all the artist’s energy and creativity used to defeat death and impact the living. Dog is a spectacular example of the artist’s impressive ability to redefine the boundaries of art. In instilling classical sources to urban culture, mixing categories, the sacred and the profane, Keith Haring creates works not only in tune with his 1980's environment but which still resonate with our contemporary world.