People were more interested in the phenomena than the art itself. This, combined with the growing interest in collecting art as an investment and the resultant boom in the art market, made it a difficult time for a young artist to remain sincere without becoming cynical.

His bold lines vivid colors and active figures carry strong messages of life and unity. Additionally Haring's work was featured in several of Red Hot Organization's efforts to raise money for AIDS and AIDS awareness specifically its first two albums Red Hot + Blue and Red Hot + Dance the latter of which used Haring's work on its cover. In 1985 Haring started to paint canvas.

Keith Allen Haring (May 4 1958 – February 16 1990) was an artist and social activist whose work responded to the New York City street culture of the 1980s.