Keith Haring Growing Together

The Final Years of a Visionary Artist

In the twilight of his brief but extraordinary career, Keith Haring produced some of the most emotionally resonant work of his lifetime. The Growing series, created in 1988 - just one year before his untimely death at age thirty-one - stands as a powerful testament to the artist's unwavering optimism and his belief in the transformative power of human connection. This remarkable suite of five screen prints, each meticulously signed and dated by Haring himself, carries the blind stamps of publisher Martin Lawrence Galleries and master printer Rupert Jasen Smith. Released in a limited edition of just 100, the Growing series represents one of the most sought-after collections in the Keith Haring print market.

Keith Haring's significance in the canon of contemporary art cannot be overstated. Rising to international prominence during the vibrant 1980s New York art scene, Haring developed a visual vocabulary that was at once immediately accessible and profoundly meaningful. His signature bold line work and radiant babies, barking dogs, and dancing figures became universal symbols that transcended language and cultural barriers. Often described as a child of Pop art, Haring drew inspiration from the commercial aesthetics championed by Andy Warhol while infusing his work with urgent social commentary and genuine emotional depth.

Pop Shop II (D) (Littmann PP. 97) — Keith Haring. Available at Guy Hepner, New York.

The Growing Together imagery within this series captures the essence of Haring's artistic philosophy - that art should be democratic, accessible, and capable of fostering genuine human bonds. The interlocking figures depicted in these prints suggest organic growth, cellular multiplication, and the fundamental interconnectedness of all living things. Created during a period when Haring was acutely aware of his own mortality following his AIDS diagnosis in 1988, these works carry additional poignancy. Rather than succumbing to despair, Haring channeled his energy into creating images of hope, unity, and collective strength.

Understanding the Growing Series and Its Symbolism

The Growing series exemplifies Keith Haring's masterful ability to communicate complex ideas through seemingly simple visual forms. Each of the five screen prints in this collection bursts with movement and kinetic energy, featuring Haring's characteristic figures in various states of connection and expansion. The compositions suggest biological processes - cells dividing, organisms multiplying, communities forming - rendered in the artist's instantly recognizable graphic style. Vibrant colors pulse against contrasting backgrounds, creating works that are simultaneously joyful and contemplative.

What distinguishes the Growing series from other Haring print editions is its meditative quality. While much of his earlier work captured the frenetic energy of street culture and nightlife, these prints suggest a more reflective artistic vision. The figures reach toward one another, intertwine, and support each other in configurations that speak to Haring's belief in collective action and mutual aid. In a world often characterized by division and isolation, these images propose an alternative vision of human relationships built on cooperation and shared growth.

Pop Shop II (A) (Littmann PP. 96) — Keith Haring. Available at Guy Hepner, New York.

The technical execution of the Growing series demonstrates Haring's evolution as a printmaker. Working with the renowned printer Rupert Jasen Smith, Haring achieved remarkable precision and color saturation in these screen prints. The crisp edges and uniform ink application showcase the professional craftsmanship that characterized his later print work, a notable development from his early subway drawings and spontaneous public murals. This series represents the perfect synthesis of Haring's raw creative energy with sophisticated printmaking techniques.

Market Context and Collector Significance

The market for Keith Haring's work has demonstrated remarkable strength and consistent growth over the past two decades. According to data from Christie's and Sotheby's, Haring's prints and unique works regularly achieve prices well above their estimates, reflecting sustained collector demand across multiple generations. The Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report has consistently identified Haring as one of the most actively traded post-war and contemporary artists, with particular strength in the print market where accessibility and authenticity combine to attract both seasoned collectors and new market entrants.

The Growing series occupies a particularly significant position within Haring's print oeuvre. Its limited edition size of 100 impressions makes it considerably rarer than some of his more widely distributed print projects, while its creation date places it among the final complete series the artist produced. For collectors seeking works that encapsulate Haring's mature artistic vision - created when he had achieved full mastery of his craft and was working with heightened awareness of life's preciousness - the Growing series represents an optimal acquisition opportunity.

Pop Shop II (Littmann PP. 96-97) — Keith Haring. Available at Guy Hepner, New York.

The provenance and condition of Growing series prints have become increasingly important factors in the market. Works bearing clear blind stamps from the original publisher and printer, accompanied by documentation of exhibition history and previous ownership, command premium prices at auction. As the finite supply of these prints becomes absorbed into permanent museum collections and long-term private holdings, available examples of exceptional quality become increasingly scarce. Discerning collectors recognize that acquiring museum-quality impressions from this series represents both an aesthetic achievement and a sound investment in art historical significance.

The Enduring Legacy of Keith Haring

Keith Haring's influence extends far beyond the art market into fashion, design, public art, and social activism. His commitment to accessibility - manifested in his Pop Shop retail ventures and countless public murals - democratized contemporary art in ways that continue to resonate today. The Growing Together concept embedded in this series has proven remarkably prescient, speaking to contemporary concerns about community, connection, and collective resilience. Museums worldwide, from the Whitney Museum of American Art to the Centre Pompidou, hold significant Haring works in their permanent collections, cementing his position in the art historical canon.

For collectors, acquiring works from the Growing series means owning a piece of this remarkable legacy. These prints represent Haring at the height of his powers, creating images of hope and unity during personally challenging times. They embody the artist's fundamental belief that art can change the world - not through grand political gestures alone, but through the simple act of bringing people together around shared visual experiences.

Guy Hepner is proud to offer exceptional examples from Keith Haring's celebrated print editions, including works from the Growing series and related masterpieces. Our gallery's expertise in post-war and contemporary prints ensures that collectors receive works of impeccable provenance and condition, accompanied by comprehensive documentation and authentication. To inquire about available Keith Haring works or to discuss building a collection around this pivotal figure in contemporary art history, contact Guy Hepner directly for a personalized consultation.