Fans and celebrities are honoring legendary artist and activist Keith Haring today, on what would have been his 60th birthday.
Haring was born and raised in Pennsylvania, and moved to New York City in 1978 to study painting, where he would spend the remainder of his life, and go on to become one of the most celebrated artists of the period. His expressive work contained elements of pop art and graffiti, and his stylized, boxy people and animals have become iconic.

In addition to his prolific artistic output, which included paintings, drawings, and dozens of large scale murals and statues, he was an activist. Haring participating in ACT UP demonstrations, as well as providing artwork for the group, which advocates for those living with HIV/AIDS.
Haring passed away on February 16, 1990 of AIDS-related complications, at the age of 31. While his career only spanned roughly a decade, he is still recognized as one of the most famous and influential artists of his generation.
The year before he died, he established the Keith Haring Foundation to provide funding and imagery to AIDS organizations and children’s programs.
Madonna and Brooke Shields both honored their friend on his birthday, with the latter posting a photo of herself posing beneath a piece of artwork Haring made for her 21st birthday, which also doubled as the wrapping paper for the gift he gave her.
HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY, MY LOVE.#KeithHaring @KeithHaringFdn @AlbertinaMuseum pic.twitter.com/q6g4tISUqo
— KeithHaringFdn (@KeithHaringFdn) May 4, 2018
We can end AIDS in children by 2020. Join me, @EGPAF, and @KeithHaringFdn in the fight for an #AIDSFreeGeneration. T-shirts are available by donation at: https://t.co/l05zjOHM0a pic.twitter.com/EOrD0rVHDx
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 4, 2018
“Art should be something that liberates the soul, provokes the imagination and encourages people to go further. It celebrates humanity instead of manipulating it.” On what would have been his 60th birthday, the visionary Keith Haring. pic.twitter.com/dmtn2AIFPm
— Tribeca (@Tribeca) May 4, 2018
Andy Warhol: Keith Haring painting Grace Jones, 1984 pic.twitter.com/xyM9URJagY
— Flashbak.com (@aflashbak) May 2, 2018
Celebrating the life, work and enduring legacy of Keith Haring on his 60th birthday > https://t.co/tpedb2IjCj @deankissick pic.twitter.com/v6Umc00p2k
— It's Nice That (@itsnicethat) May 4, 2018
Keith Haring would've celebrated his 60th birthday today ♥ pic.twitter.com/YfNv8BiscI
— Matt Lyon (@C86) May 4, 2018
Birthday tribute for one of my favorite late artists (and fellow queer Taurean) Keith Haring ❤️ pic.twitter.com/B6dxxNWCUG
— Lauren Elyse (@laurrrelyse) May 4, 2018
Keith Haring, born today in 1958.His show at the Stedelijk Amsterdam in 1986 still an extremely good memory pic.twitter.com/YH7yUR1Fpk
— Andrew Wilson (@andrew_wilson_a) May 4, 2018