A powerful piece of visual activism, this 1985 original poster by renowned American artist Keith Haring, titled "Free South Africa", captures the urgency and moral clarity of the global fight against apartheid. Using his instantly recognizable style—bold lines, vibrant energy, and graphic symbolism—Haring turns political protest into visual poetry.
At the center of the composition, a large, anonymous black figure is chained, trampling a smaller white figure marked with a red "X." The dynamic contrast and simplicity of the imagery amplify its message: a direct condemnation of systemic racial oppression. The slogan “FREE SOUTH AFRICA”, hand-scrawled in all caps beneath the image, is both a call to action and a declaration of solidarity.
Haring was known for using his art to address social issues, and this poster is a quintessential example of his commitment to justice, created at the height of the anti-apartheid movement. Distributed publicly and widely, it was not just art—it was protest, awareness, and resistance in visual form.
More than a political statement, this poster is a historic artifact—an emblem of 1980s activism, and a reminder of how art can be mobilized to confront injustice and amplify marginalized voices.
Politics - South Africa
Creases, dirt, small tears
Sign up & benefit from discounts or exclusive offers.