Book Review: Keith Haring – The Story of His Life by Paolo Parisi

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Celebrated artist, activist and humanitarian, Keith Haring is the perfect subject for this graphic novel. Focused on three colors, this comic-book tells the fascinating life story of a man who lived his truth on all kinds of canvases.

Keith Haring: The Story of his Life by Paulo Parisi. Prestel, 2022 [9783791388434]
“If commercialization is putting my art on a shirt so that a kid who can’t afford a $30,000 painting can buy one, then I’m all for it.”
 

This attractive graphic biography chronicles the life of Keith Haring. Paulo Parisi covers everything, from his childhood in Kutztown, Philadelphia, all the way up to his tragic passing in the AIDS pandemic. The ambition of this timeframe has pros and cons. For a complete newcomer to Haring’s work, this is an informative overview of his life’s story. There are plenty of fun moments enhanced by the visual medium, from his gallery shows to Larry Levan’s thumping DJ sets in Paradise Garage. Conversely, the decision to include everything means that certain parts have a cursory feel. Topics like Haring’s ascendancy through New York graffiti, the Pop Shop he opened in New York and Tokyo, or his political activism could each fill a standalone book. Skimming through them all comes at the expense of critical excavations. That being said, Prestel have included a thorough bibliography at the back, for readers wishing to learn more. 

 
Image: preview of “The Story of His Life” by Paolo Parisi
The book features a stripped-down colour palette of yellows, blues and pinks. This neat and simplified art-style works well here, feeling faithful to the experimental Pop Art movement it represents. Keith Haring’s philosophy was making art accessible to the masses. He used graffiti in the subways to reach thousands of commuters every day, and he spearheaded merchandise and fashion to take art out of galleries and into the homes of everyday people. He always questioned the demarcation between “high art” and “low art.” Haring’s approach is still felt today, with artists like Banksy making a body of work with spraypaints. The Pop Shop preceded an ongoing ethical debate of turning art into commercial products. Parisi has slyly incorporated these concepts into his biography, telling a visual story that is fun and welcoming to all. Comics have often been categorized as “low art.” This makes them a terrific medium to celebrate the low-art/high-art playfulness of Keith Haring’s work.
 

“Art is nothing if you don’t reach every segment of the people.”

 
This is a well-researched book, produced with a Pop-Art aesthetic that suits the subject matter. It honours Haring’s style and philosophy, often quoting him directly. The end result is a light and enjoyable book suitable for any art lover’s shelf.

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