Lucky Strike 1987

Keith Haring made this print, called ‘Lucky Strike’, probably in New York, sometime in 1987. This orange figure, he's all limbs and energy, balancing on a huge pack of cigarettes. Haring’s lines are so immediate, like he’s capturing a thought right as it pops into his head. The black outline is so important. It reminds me a little of Léger, but way more raw, more punk. I wonder if Haring was thinking about advertising, about how images grab us, stick in our minds, and get us hooked? There's something both playful and pointed in the way he uses that ‘Lucky Strike’ logo, turning it into this crazy stage for his dancing figure. For me, Haring’s work always feels so generous, like he’s inviting everyone to join the party, even if it’s a bit of a wild, chaotic one! His work is a reminder that art can be fun, immediate, and deeply connected to the world around us.