Keith Haring's Crack is Wack mural, painted in 1986, is one of his most iconic works, created in response to the crack cocaine epidemic that was devastating New York City at the time. Located on a handball court wall at 128th Street and Second Avenue, visible from the Harlem River Drive, the mural was intended to serve as a public warning against the dangers of crack cocaine.

The inspiration for the mural came from Haring's personal experiences and his frustration with the government's slow response to the epidemic. He was particularly moved by the struggles of his studio assistant, Benny Soto, who was battling a crack addiction. Haring's goal was to use his art to raise awareness and caution the public, especially the youth, about the perils of drug use (Wikipedia) (All That's Interesting).

Haring initially painted the mural without official permission, which led to his arrest for vandalism. Despite this, the mural quickly gained widespread attention and support from the media and the community. Recognizing its impact, the New York City Parks Department later invited Haring to create a sanctioned version of the mural at the same location. This version, completed in October 1986, featured Haring's signature style with bold lines and vibrant colors, and it remains in place today (Haring) (NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project).

The mural's design includes a combination of human and monster-like figures surrounding the bold phrase "Crack is Wack." This striking imagery was intended to be easily understood and accessible, engaging a wide audience with its straightforward anti-drug message. Over the years, the mural has undergone several restorations to preserve its powerful message and vibrant appearance. The most recent restoration was completed in 2019 (All That's Interesting) (Haring).

Crack is Wack stands as a testament to Haring's commitment to social activism through art. It highlights his ability to use public spaces to communicate important messages and reflects his broader efforts to address social issues, including drug addiction and HIV/AIDS awareness (Wikipedia) (NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project).