Online Auction: 24 September–1 October 2020 • 12:00 PM EDT • New York

Dear Keith: Works from the Personal Collection of Keith Haring 24 September–1 October 2020 • 12:00 PM EDT • New York
People get something from living with a painting. I love living with paintings.
– Keith Haring

A Tour of Keith Haring's Personal Collection

A Tour of Keith Haring's Personal Collection
Join Gil Vazquez, Acting Director of the Keith Haring Foundation and Sotheby’s specialist Harrison Tenzer for a tour of Haring’s personal collection.

S otheby’s is honored to present Dear Keith: Works from the Personal Collection of Keith Haring, a dedicated online auction open for bidding through 1 October 2020. Dear Keith presents 140+ works of art and objects from Haring's personal collection, all on offer from the Keith Haring Foundation – an organization established by the artist shortly before his death in 1990 from HIV/AIDS-related causes. Haring’s collection features works gifted to, purchased by and traded with Haring among friends and artists in his community, including Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Kenny Scharf, and many more. All of the works are appearing at auction for the first time, together revealing never-before-told stories about Haring’s community and bringing to life the celebrated art scene of 1970s and 80s New York – from the School of Visual Arts (SVA) and Club 57 to street art and beyond.

Roy Lichtenstein’s Forms In Space installed in Haring’s apartment on LaGuardia Place, 1989 credit: Nancy Elizabeth Hill

In keeping with the Keith Haring Foundation’s mission to sustain and expand the artist’s legacy of philanthropy, full proceeds from the auction will benefit The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center of New York (also known as The Center) – an organization that empowers the queer community of New York to lead healthy, successful lives; celebrates the community’s diversity and advocates for justice and opportunity.

Keith Haring in front of Once Upon A Time, the mural he painted at The Center in 1989. Credit: Photographer unknown (1989). Courtesy of The LGBT Community Center National History Archive.

Visit the Exhibition

The exhibition will be on view in Sotheby’s York Avenue galleries from 26 – 30 September. Please contact us directly with any viewing requests. Following the guidelines for the Phase Four reopening of Manhattan, we are able to accommodate clients in our building by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, please contact appointmentsNY@sothebys.com or +1 212 606 7171.

Keith Haring’s Radiant CommunityArtist and activist Keith Haring found community and creativity in his friends and contemporaries.

During his 10+ years living and working in downtown Manhattan, Haring was engaged in the queer / downtown art and activism scene. He executed one of his final large-scale murals, Once Upon a Time, in the second-floor men’s bathroom at The Center in May 1989 for The Center Show – a celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots that featured works by LGBTQ artists commissioned by The Center. That mural stands to this day. Haring was devoted to all of his communities, from his family and friends to collaborators both in art and activism, and the Foundation is pleased to celebrate the enduring connection he had with The Center through this gift.

Andy Warhol’s Portrait of Keith Haring and Juan DuBose hanging in Keith Haring’s living room on LaGuardia Place, 1989 credit: Nancy Elizabeth Hill

Watch Keith Haring’s Interior Designer, Sam Havadtoy, Describe the Vision for Keith’s Apartment

Browse Highlights from Dear Keith

Club 57

Street Art

Queer Art

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