Pop Artist Keith Haring’s Subway Art Heads For Maiden Auction At Sotheby's

Soby's, world's largest broker of fine, decorative art, will showcase one of most-cherished art collections of 80's at its New York auction house. 

Pop artist Keith Haring's Subway art, a total of 31 paintings from collection of Larry Wash will be auctioned on November 21. expected valuation for this iconic artwork is around USD 6.3 to 9 million.

Transporting people to 80's NYC subways through immersive art

Haring's auction move is to make meaningful art accessible to everyone. NYC-based artist, who drew his popularity from NYC graffiti subculture, used to paint on empty spaces using m as blank canvases, making immersive art, a daily visual for New York's subway commuters. "se works will come to life again in a special immersive exhibition at Soby’s, recreating essence of 1980s New York City subway,” says Kathleen Hart, He of Session at Soby’s Contemporary Art Day Auction, citing an L'Officiel report. 

Soby’s will host an immersive exhibition open to public from November 8 to 20 at its York Avenue galleries. exhibit aims to replicate a vintage 1980s subway environment, complete with turnstiles and benches, alongside vanced Samsung displays that feature archival footage of Haring at work. This setup not only showcases art but also captures vibrant energy of era.

Haring, a pivotal figure in New York’s 1980s art scene, started this series after noticing blacked-out panels in subway stations. He viewed se spaces as a canvas for spreing his art to masses. Known for his distinctive motifs—riant babies, barking dogs, and flying saucers—Haring’s work resonated with subway riders, achieving his vision of accessible art.