An exhibition of Keith Haring’s art, largely unseen for decades, is going on display at Sotheby\u2019s this May.<\/p>\n
The deeply personal works by the late artist come from the private collection of his lifelong best friend, Kermit Oswald. They include one of just six known canvas self-portraits ever done by Haring, a dresser Haring painted for Oswald\u2019s son (Haring\u2019s godson), and a crib that Haring painted and was used by all four of Oswald\u2019s children.<\/p>\n
Many of the pieces have been in Oswald\u2019s private collection since Haring gifted them to him in the 1970s and \u201980s, sometimes after creating them in Oswald\u2019s home, with Oswald at his side.<\/p>\n
Crib by Keith Haring<\/p>\n
Courtesy of Kermit Oswald<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t separate that memory from what the painting or drawing is,\u201d said Oswald in a phone interview. \u201cFor me, the drawing is the afternoon we spent together doing it, the laughter and everything else that went along with it.”<\/p>\n
Haring and Oswald grew up two-and-a-half blocks from each other in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. They attended kindergarten, middle and high school together and early on recognized their shared interest in art.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat really bonded us together\u201d and gave them both someone to bounce ideas off of and draw with, Oswald said. \u201cWe didn\u2019t have to go looking for each other. We were already there.\u201d<\/p>\n
That bond continued through adulthood, with Oswald collaborating with Haring on the fabrication of his sculptures and wood reliefs.<\/p>\n
Haring would also often gift Oswald and his wife Lisa work, resulting in them having one of the world’s most significant collections of Haring’s works when he died from AIDS-related complications in 1990, at age 31.<\/p>\n
Keith Haring self-portrait.<\/p>\n
Courtesy of Kermit Oswald<\/p>\n
\u201cWe didn\u2019t have a wall that didn\u2019t have a Haring anywhere in the house, on three floors, said Oswald. \u201cThey were everywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said he doesn\u2019t regret parting with a portion of the works. \u201cI\u2019m happy to have them out in the world, where other people can hopefully establish their own connection and relationship to them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Oswald still retains other works by Haring \u2014 and he and his wife are always finding more stashed away in long-unopened books, drawers and flat files.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been finding Harings for 50 years in our own home,\u201d he laughed. \u201cIt\u2019s like a treasure hunt.\u201d<\/p>\n