Book Description
Keith Haring in 3D
This book offers a fresh scholarly perspective on the work of Keith Haring, one of the most influential figures in contemporary art, with a focused exploration of his three-dimensional practice—an aspect of his work that has long been underexamined yet is central to understanding his artistic vision. Through this lens, the book reconsiders how Haring extended his iconic visual language from flat surfaces into space, creating a body of work that seamlessly bridged art and everyday life.
After arriving in New York City in 1978, Haring challenged the conventional boundaries of artistic media by treating a wide range of three-dimensional objects as sites for creation. From discarded items found on the street and household appliances to subway walls, he transformed everyday urban materials into works charged with energy and rhythm. Objects such as cars, vases, refrigerators, and even a sarcophagus became vehicles for his distinctive symbols and bold lines, often serving as platforms for collaboration with fellow artists of his generation and reflecting the immediacy and spirit of the era.
Haring’s artistic practice extended well beyond traditional art spaces. By bringing his imagery onto clothing, stage sets, and the human body, he fostered collaborations across music, dance, fashion, and photography. Through these interdisciplinary exchanges with performers, cultural figures, and photographers, Haring continuously explored the relationship between body, space, and image, transforming art into an experience that could be worn, entered, and physically felt. Although his career was tragically brief, his three-dimensional work remains an essential and inseparable component of his overall oeuvre, with many of these works now held in major museums and art collections around the world.
Keith Haring in 3D highlights this rarely examined yet profoundly significant dimension of Haring’s work, illuminating the role of sculpture and spatial practice in shaping his enduring legacy. Presented in a generous large-format design, the book features more than 350 illustrations, including rare archival photographs of Haring at work, high-quality reproductions of his three-dimensional artworks, and insightful essays by curators, scholars, and collectors. Through the dynamic interplay of images and texts, the book invites readers into the vibrant world Haring created, capturing the energy, cross-disciplinary spirit, and lasting cultural impact of one of the most iconic artists of the late twentieth century.
Detailed Information
Editors: Larry Warsh, Glenn Adamson
Artist: Keith Haring
Contributors: Dieter Buchhart, et al.
Publisher: The Monacelli Press
Publication Year: 2026
Format Size: 29 × 23 cm
Binding: Hardcover
Length: 288 pages
