First time ever! Keith’s debut work is coming to UT.

As the darling child of street art, Keith Haring has dominated the New York art scene. He made his major debut with his first exhibition in 1982. It was a legendary show packed with people as if reflecting the excitement and fever of 80’s street culture. Artwork unveiled at this show, which was an important milestone in his career, is being used on T-shirts for the first time ever in the world.

Packed from wall to wall by artists, art dealers and street kids.

Keith's first major solo show was held in October 1982 at the Tony Shafrazi Gallery in New York. Bringing him fame, it was a very important exhibition for Keith, who up until then had exhibited on a smaller scale at the Mudd Club. More than 75 pieces of work were presented at this exhibition. Keith showed works that he developed his own unique style based on inspiration he derived from his life in New York, such as posters on the subway and people he met in clubs, as well as the semiotics he learned at the School of Visual Arts. A crowd of artists, art critics, and friends inundated the gallery to view the works, and it was said that it was literally packed like a box. The Tony Shafrazi Gallery, which served as the venue for the exhibition, was well known as a gallery that had produced many contemporary artists. The opportunity allowing Keith to hold his first major exhibition at this gallery was through an internship he got there as a floor sweeper, which was introduced to him by his teacher from art school. This quirk of fate served as a catalyst, catapulting his work and Keith to stardom as a world-famous artist. Now, finally, that artwork is coming to UT T-shirts and sweats. Without doubt, this collection is sure to be a milestone for UT.

© Keith Haring Foundation. Licensed by Artestar, New York.