One man show 1982

This striking 1982 original poster by Keith Haring was created to promote one of his earliest solo exhibitions — a defining moment in the meteoric rise of one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. Titled “One Man Show,” the poster features Haring’s iconic visual language: bold lines, simplified figures, and vibrant primary color, here dominated by an animated yellow figure mid-headstand within a rectangular frame.

Rendered in Haring’s unmistakable hand, the image captures the kinetic energy and joyful subversion that permeated his work. The dancing or tumbling figure, surrounded by Haring’s signature motion lines, echoes the themes of movement, public engagement, and universal human expression. At the bottom, the artist’s name and date — Keith Haring 1982 — are presented in his signature block lettering, flanked by small symbolic motifs that often accompanied his signature.

By 1982, Haring had already begun transitioning from his guerrilla chalk drawings in New York subways to international gallery exhibitions. His first solo show at Tony Shafrazi Gallery that same year marked his arrival in the contemporary art world — a pivotal moment that would define the visual culture of the 1980s. This poster was part of that era’s visual fabric, not only promoting the artist’s exhibition but also acting as a piece of art in its own right.

Keith Haring’s work broke down the boundaries between high art and street culture, emphasizing accessibility, activism, and immediacy. His art addressed pressing social issues, from AIDS awareness and apartheid to nuclear disarmament and children's rights, all through deceptively simple yet deeply resonant imagery.

This poster is a rare and authentic artifact from the early years of Haring’s career — a must-have for collectors of pop art, street art, or 20th-century visual culture.

Exhibition - Pop Art - United States

Tony Shafrazi Gallery - New York Nouvelles Images

Printed in France

Bon état, la saleté