Keith Haring, who gained sudden fame for his "subway drawings" in New York's underground stations and pursued a prolific artistic career for a decade until his death in 1990, is the subject of a new exhibition at the Nakamura Keith Haring Museum. This private museum, housing approximately 160 of his works, is presenting "Curator's Selection," an exhibition that delves into the connection between Haring and African art.



Haring himself stated, "I was very interested in the primitive and the pop. My drawing style is very close to Eskimo, African, Mayan, and Aboriginal art."

This exhibition juxtaposes Haring's works with textiles from the Kuba people of the Democratic Republic of Congo, including the "Lunga Nchak" raffia fabric, drawn from the collection of the African Art Museum of Hokuto City, renowned for its significant African art holdings.



Haring's art, with its recurring motifs of glowing babies, barking dogs, pyramids, and dancing figures, has become symbolic. Similarly, the Kuba textiles, created through long-standing needlework that echoes the rhythms of nature, feature fantastical geometric patterns that evoke a sense of rhythmic symbolism akin to Haring's work.



The Nakamura Keith Haring Museum's annual Curator's Selection offers a multifaceted re-examination of Keith Haring's art. This exhibition highlights an unexpected link to African art, revealing new facets of Haring's creative genius.

Curator's Selection 007: 'The Symbolism of Keith Haring Vol. 2'

Exhibition Dates: October 23 (Wed) – January 6, 2014 (Mon) *Open daily throughout the exhibition period

Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Venue: Nakamura Keith Haring Museum

10249-7 Kobuchizawa-cho, Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture

Tel. 0551-36-8712

Admission: General ¥1000, University Students/Seniors ¥800, Elementary/Middle School Students ¥600