Keith Haring

Pop art, activism

Modern influential 126 sayings

Sayings by Keith Haring

I'm just trying to leave something behind.

Late 1980s — Interview, reflecting on his legacy.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

My art is a reflection of my time.

1980s — Statement, emphasizing the contemporary relevance of his work.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I don't believe in boundaries when it comes to art.

1980s — Interview, expressing his expansive view of artistic possibilities.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I am becoming much more aware of movement. The importance of movement is intensified when you reduce the image to its most elemental state.

1984 — Interview on his artistic process
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I don’t think art is propaganda; it should be something that liberates the soul, provokes the imagination and encourages people to go further.

1989 — Interview with Rolling Stone
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

I could have sold out years ago, but I didn’t. I’ve never had to compromise.

1988 — On resisting commercial pressures
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The public needs art, and it is the responsibility of a ‘self-proclaimed artist’ to realize the public needs art, and not to make bourgeois art for the few and ignore the masses.

1980 — Journal entry
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I’m not going to be another boring artist who just makes paintings.

1981 — Early career statement
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Art should be something that shocks you out of your sleep.

1987 — Interview on public art
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The subway drawings were about communication more than anything else.

1986 — Discussing his chalk drawings in NYC subways
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I don’t think about death, because I don’t think about stopping.

1988 — Interview before his AIDS diagnosis became public
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Art is for everybody—that’s the bottom line.

1987 — Statement on accessibility of art
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I’m not a genius, I’m just a guy who draws every day.

1985 — Humble self-assessment
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

You can’t just sit there and wait for people to give you that golden dream. You’ve got to get out there and make it happen for yourself.

1989 — Advice to young artists
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

If you don’t like my work, fine. But don’t try to censor it.

1986 — On controversies over public murals
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I’m not a martyr. I’m just an artist who got sick.

1989 — On his AIDS diagnosis
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I don’t believe in guilty pleasures. If you like something, enjoy it.

1987 — Personal philosophy
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The only way to change anything is to shock people into paying attention.

1985 — On activism through art
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Art is the most powerful weapon on earth.

1988 — Statement on art’s influence
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I don’t think art can change the world, but it can change people, and people can change the world.

1986 — Interview on art’s impact
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable