Portrait of Keith Haring

Keith Haring

Pop art, activism

Modern influential 126 sayings

Sayings by Keith Haring

My contribution to the world is my ability to draw.

1989 — Self-reflection on his legacy
Wisdom Unverifiable

I don’t believe in waiting for inspiration. I just start drawing.

1983 — On his creative process
Inspirational Unverifiable

The more you do, the more you can do.

1987 — Personal motto
Wisdom Confirmed

I don’t care if people remember me. I just want them to remember my work.

1989 — On his legacy
Wisdom Unverifiable

I don’t draw for galleries. I draw for people.

1985 — On his public art approach
Wisdom Unverifiable

The best way to predict the future is to create it.

1986 — Philosophical statement
Art & Creativity Unverifiable

I’m not afraid of death. I’m afraid of not finishing my work.

1989 — Reflecting on mortality
Life & Death Unverifiable

The only rule is: there are no rules.

1984 — Creative philosophy
Power & Leadership Unverifiable

I don’t believe in mistakes. Everything is an experiment.

1985 — On artistic freedom
Educational Unverifiable

I don’t need drugs to hallucinate. My art is my trip.

1987 — On sobriety and creativity
Art & Creativity Unverifiable

I’m not a saint. I’m just a guy who draws.

1988 — Rejecting hero worship
Wisdom Unverifiable

The moment you stop creating, you start dying.

1989 — On the necessity of constant creation
Art & Creativity Unverifiable

I don’t care about critics. I care about people.

1986 — On art elitism
Wisdom Unverifiable

Art is too important not to share.

1989 — Final public statement
Art & Creativity Unverifiable

Nothing is important…so everything is important.

Unknown — Artistic philosophy
General Unverifiable

I was always totally amazed that the people I would meet while I was doing them were really, really concerned with what they meant. The first thing anyone asked me, no matter how old, no matter who they were, was, 'What does it mean?'

1980s — Observation on public reaction to his subway drawings
Self-Deprecating Unverifiable

Children know something that most people have forgotten.

Unknown — General observation
General Unverifiable

If commercialization is putting my art on a shirt so that a kid who can't afford a $30,000 painting can buy one, then I'm all for it.

Unknown — Defense of commercializing his art
General Unverifiable

I'd like to pretend that I've never seen anything, never read anything, never heard anything... and then make something.

Unknown — Artistic approach
General Unverifiable

The best reason to paint is that there is no reason to paint.

Unknown — Artistic philosophy
General Unverifiable
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