Art and Merchandise in Keith Haring's Pop Shop

This book uses the Pop Shop, a previously overlooked enterprise, and artist merchandising to reconsider the significance and legacy of Haring’s career as a whole, especially his career long pursuit of populism.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 09 January 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This groundbreaking academic monograph delves into the enigmatic career of Keith Haring, shedding light on his significance and legacy through a unique lens. By examining the previously overlooked Pop Shop, a previously undervalued enterprise, and the artist merchandising that accompanied it, the book offers a fresh perspective on Haring's entire career.

Haring's innovative approach to art marketing and social impact is at the heart of this study. He took control of the sales and distribution of his merchandise, simultaneously promoting his belief in accessibility and community activism. Through his strategic use of mass-produced objects, Haring demonstrated that they could be harnessed to forge a sense of community and drive social change.

This visionary approach extended beyond the 1980s, as Haring and his Pop Shop anticipated the emergence of artists who would become self-aware participants in the mass media and the growing reliance of the art world on marketing and commercialism. The book appeals to scholars and students studying art history, consumer culture, cultural studies, media studies, and market studies, as well as anyone with a deep interest in Haring's work, the vibrant 1980s art scene in New York's East Village, street art, art activism, and art merchandising.

By exploring these interconnected themes, the book provides a comprehensive and insightful examination of Keith Haring's remarkable career, contributing to our understanding of his enduring impact on art and society.

Weight: 566g
Dimension: 243 x 171 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367650841