‘Apocalypse’ (plate 9) by Keith Haring created in 1988 from an edition of 90.
The Apocalypse series is a collaboration with author William S. Burroughs who wrote an accompanying piece of text for each of the 10 panels in the series. This series is particularly important as it was created in 1988 which is the year the artist was diagnosed with AIDS. The series of work shows a unique insight into the artists personal struggle with the disease and the finality of his impending death. Haring died in 1990.
Haring’s collage elements integrate a historic touch: the 19th-century portrait of Saint Fabiola appears in this image. Haring morphs this symbol of compassion and sacrifice into the head of a sinister creature, suggesting both the refuge and failures of the healthcare system in the AIDS epidemic. Fabiola’s visage, now stylized with Haring’s pop-graffiti flair, rests atop a red, sphinx-like body, complete with hands cradling a chalice emanating a dubious energy. Ornate cartooning, from her beaded necklace and medallion to a crown with miniature antlers, infuses the ancient with the contemporary.
Apocalypse 9 is now available to view at the gallery and is certainly a must have for a collector of Harings work as it is such an important series of work. The accompanying text for the piece is below,
“Page 9
Force let it come, skyscrapers scrape rents of the final Apocalypse in the sky, dream rivers splashing color across solid roads and buildings, AMOK art vitality stirring passions of metal blur by writhing in mineral lusts. Walls of glass melt OFF THE TRACK OFF a billion crazed eyes, the sidewalks run feet and tires, chimneys ejaculate blue tunnels break out graffiti village pulled across the sky in flaming colors.”
