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‘I told his family he was HIV positive’: Keith Haring’s best friend on life with the artist as unseen works go on show
For nearly four decades, the artist Kermit Oswald lived with some of the most intimate works Haring ever made. Now the pieces are going up for auction
TL;DR
- Artist Kermit Oswald is exhibiting and auctioning personal works by his best friend, Keith Haring.
- The collection includes a taxi-cab yellow crib painted by Haring for Oswald's family in 1986.
- Haring, known for his activism and 1980s New York scene involvement, maintained a close connection with his straight best friend.
- The exhibition 'Haring’s House: Works From the Collection of Kermit Oswald' features items that will go to auction.
- A 1985 self-portrait is the marquee lot, with estimates for the crib ranging from $250,000 to $350,000.
- Oswald and Haring met as children in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, and shared a passion for creating art.
- Haring's artistic process was influenced by cut-up techniques and news headlines, with Oswald suggesting his works should be read alongside dates and news.
- Oswald assisted Haring with woodworking, enabling the creation of wood relief pieces.
- Oswald reflects on Haring's fame as 'the tiger,' a force difficult to control.
- Oswald learned of Haring's HIV-positive status and was asked to inform his parents.
- Oswald views his relationship with the works as experiential and sees himself as a custodian.
- Jeffrey Deitch hopes the crib ends up in a nursery for children.