This piece was heavily inspired by Keith Haring, a famous artists that I’m sure many people have heard of. If not heard of, a least recognize his colorful, vibrant, simplistic pieces that often commented on many social issues that were around in the late 20th century. His pieces usually commented on the AIDS epidemic and commented on themes of homosexuality in his works as well. His cartoony style developed at an early age, and he used his pieces to express these themes that were often cast aside and shunned in the late 20th century. Like him, I also wanted to comment on an issue, rather the issue of repeating everyday life due to the COVID pandemic. I took his style and vibrant colors to create this sort of cycle of repeating and the feeling of not really moving anywhere.

I used Keith Haring’s use of lines and shapes to make the piece feel crowded. This crowded feeling  added to the idea of feeling closed off from the outside world. The computer, also known as the only sort of “escape” that I’ve been experiencing over quarantine. I tried to express that even though I use the computer or the internet as an excuse, I’m still going to repeat through the motions. With Keith Haring’s vibrant colors, I tried to express a more positive view on the mandatory lockdown and the pandemic in general.

This idea of hope and commentary was prevalent in a lot of Keith’s pieces, and I really do appreciate his art and movement. He was a highly sought after artist to collaborate with because of his unique, simplistic style, and it’s easy to see why. He has been seen today as the subject of many international retrospectives since his death in 1990. His art is world renown and can be seen throughout the world as iconic and impactful throughout the world. His art changed people and really changed the world as a result.