Rome is set to host a major exhibition dedicated to one of the most recognizable figures of the late 20th century, an artist who transformed lines into a public language, the streets into high art, and images into universal messages. Keith Haring's works go on display from October 6 through April 11, 2027, at the Museo di Roma in Palazzo Braschi.
Set against the turbulent backdrop of 1980s New York - a city gripped by violence, drugs, and urban decay - Haring drew inspiration from the raw energy of a pre-digital era where ideas circulated through the streets, music, clubs, and human connection. It was the birthplace of hip-hop and street art, where art, activism, and pop culture collided.
Featuring over 140 works and materials on loan from the Nakamura Keith Haring Collection (the world's largest repository of his work) alongside major public and private collections, the exhibition traces Haring’s evolution from his early New York subway drawings to political posters, sculptures, paintings, and final pieces. Designed specifically for the halls of Palazzo Braschi, the layout explores key themes: the street and subway, political and social commitment, the body and vital energy, art as a universal language, and spiritual dimensions.
Within this narrative, Italy serves as a unique lens, a place where Haring found public spaces, gallerists, and projects that resonated with his vision of urban, collective art. The exhibition is accompanied by an extensive educational program designed for young people and schools, introducing new generations to the artist's immediate, inclusive, and participatory style.