Haring & Warhol
Personal Jesus:
Religious Works of
Keith Haring and Andy Warhol
The Warhol Museum
June 1 - September 2, 2007
Untitled (Self-Portrait) 1986
Artist: Keith Haring (American 1958-1990)
Medium: Silkscreen
Dimensions: 6 x 6 in
© Estate of Keith Haring
Image Courtesy: The Warhol Museum
“Post 1962 religious worship changed so that many young people viewed religion
in a different light. They eschewed traditional religious figures and turned
their back on churches that were purely seeking money. Jesus became more of a
father figure rather than an untouchable deity. The ‘second coming’ in the
1980’s saw a response to the psychedelic 70’s in the form of evangelism combined
with pop music, art and fashion.” said Thomas Sokolowski, director of The Andy
Warhol Museum.
Untitled 1-5 1983
Artist: Keith Haring (American 1958-1990)
Medium: Silkscreen
Dimensions: 42 x 50 in
© Estate of Keith Haring
Image Courtesy: The Warhol Museum
The Warhol has organized an exhibit exploring the spirituality of two American artists whose works typically deviated from
traditional religious art. This isn't the Vatican's collection, then again that museum, located in Vatican City does house an extensive contemporary art collection including
one of Warhol's depictions of Christ which formed part of the Vatican's exhibit celebrating World Youth Day in 2005.
Haring's religions genre uses violence, sex and animals to reveal the power and influence of faith in people’s lives. The great majority of the works found in Personal Jesus are from
Keith Haring. Albiet opening the exhibit is a 1983 Warhol portrait of Keith Haring and Juan Dubose. Haring returns the homage with Andy Mouse, a 1986 portrait of Warhol.
Powerful imagery is an apt description of Haring's religious views using the iconic character associated with him. Haring depicts Jesus upside down on the cross or, perhaps, it is a reference
to St. Peter's request to be crucified in that position feeling he was unworthy to follow that of his teacher, Christ. In Apocalypse, the 1988 collaboration with William Burroughs, Haring uses
Da Vinci's Mona Lisa prints as a background overlaid with Haring's creativity.
Title: Self Portrait (Red), 1986
Artist: Andy Warhol (American 1928-1987)
© AWF
Image Courtesy: The Warhol Museum
Warhol was raised as a Byzantine Catholic and attended mass almost every day
of his life. The Pittsburgh native often volunteered at local soup kitchens and made donations to
shelters on a regular basis. Both artists understood the inherent weaknesses of
traditional religion, and observed the extent to which people use religion something each
captured with their art. They uncovered the possibility that one who does not conform may be more of a
believer than one who conforms solely to follow tradition.
Personal Jesus:
Religious Works of
Keith Haring and Andy Warhol
The Warhol Museum:
June 1 - September 2 2007
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