Keith Haring: Street Art Boy (2020, dir. Ben Anthony) is a documentary that shines a beacon on the artist behind the art. Through the use of intimate archive footage and in-depth interviews with close friends and family, the director Ben Anthony reveals the life and art of the world-famous street artist. Anthonyprovides a wonderful insight into the motivations and journey of a small-town American boy into a globally recognized artist who helped revolutionise pop culture and fine art.

By using Haring’s own thoughts and words as the narrator in this moving film, Anthony includes the audience in Haring’s journey of artistic discovery. The 1980s New York setting and the 80s hip-hop and house music backing track bring a youthful joy to the film that amplifies Haring’s own joy in this period of his life. This New York snapshot of Haring’s life heavily focused on his involvement in the gay community, where he could find relief, and which was a large motivator in his art. 

Whether you know very little about art, Keith Haring: Street Art Boy uncovers a man ahead of his time. An artist whose art shouts about the values of equality in the world. Haring’s outlook of the world is one that resonates in today culture.

Overall, Ben Anthony beautifully tells the story of Keith Haring, a man whose magnificent legacy continues to this day to thrive in the bones of New York City.

Written by Hope Rowden