Keith Haring's "Untitled (For James Ensor) 1" from 1989 is a poignant work divided into two panels, showcasing his distinctive style and deep symbolism. The first panel depicts a skeleton ejaculating on a flowerbed, while the second shows flowers blooming from the act, reaching out towards the sun as the skeleton smiles. This diptych serves as a moving denunciation of the AIDS virus, which Haring personified in his works following his diagnosis. The portrayal intertwines themes of death, renewal, and the cyclical nature of life, emphasizing Haring's advocacy and awareness efforts against AIDS. The work, completed on May 5, 1989, is held in the collection of Diane von Fürstenberg. Haring's use of vivid imagery and symbolism in "Untitled (For James Ensor) 1" reflects his broader concerns with innocence, sexuality, and mortality, underlining the power of art to address complex social and personal themes (Haring).
Keith Haring's "Untitled (For James Ensor) 2" from 1989, as part of a diptych, complements its counterpart by depicting the transformative power of death and renewal. The first panel starkly presents a skeleton in the act of ejaculating onto a flowerbed, a symbol of life emerging from death. In the second panel, this act results in flowers blooming towards the sun, a metaphor for rebirth and the cycle of life, with the skeleton smiling upon the scene. This work, like much of Haring's later art, delves into themes of mortality, sexuality, and innocence, reflecting his own experiences and the broader societal context of the AIDS epidemic, to which Haring himself succumbed in 1990.
Haring's art is notable for its vibrant, energetic lines and figures, often infused with social and political commentary. His approach to art was deeply democratic, aimed at engaging a broad audience beyond the confines of galleries and museums. Haring believed in the purity and sincerity of children, viewing their innocence as a powerful antidote to cynicism. His work consistently sought to challenge and inspire, whether through public murals, sculptures, or canvases like "Untitled (For James Ensor) 2." Haring's legacy extends beyond his art, embodying activism, advocacy for AIDS awareness, and a belief in the transformative potential of art to effect change and convey deep, universal themes of humanity (Haring) (The Art Story).