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1990
1990

In 1990, the final year of Keith Haring's life, his art continued to reflect his deep engagement with social issues and his personal battle with AIDS. One of his most notable works from this year is the series "Icons," which consists of five screenprints depicting various symbolic figures. These icons include the radiant baby, the barking dog, the smiley face, the winged man, and the angel. Each icon represents different aspects of the human experience, ranging from innocence and purity to greed and spiritual presence. This series, created shortly before his death, encapsulates Haring's reflections on life, death, and the complexities of human impulses (www.wikiart.org) (Zeit Contemporary Art). Haring also created the powerful "Fight AIDS Worldwide" poster in 1990, which continued his activism and advocacy for AIDS awareness. This work features bold imagery and stark messages aimed at highlighting the urgency of the AIDS crisis and encouraging global action against the epidemic (Haring). One of Haring's final public works was the "Altarpiece," a triptych created for the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. This piece consists of three bronze panels covered with white gold leaf, depicting scenes from the life of Christ in Haring's signature style. The work symbolizes Haring's enduring faith in the power of art to communicate profound messages and his hope for spiritual transcendence (Zeit Contemporary Art). Haring's legacy was further cemented by the establishment of the Keith Haring Foundation in 1989, which continued to support AIDS research, children's programs, and the arts after his death. The foundation ensures that Haring's commitment to social causes and public engagement lives on through ongoing projects and grants (Haring) (Zeit Contemporary Art). Keith Haring passed away on February 16, 1990, but his final works and the establishment of his foundation left a lasting impact on both the art world and the broader social causes he championed. His art from 1990 remains a powerful testament to his creativity, resilience, and unwavering commitment to social justice.