77122: Keith Haring (1958-1990) Wells Network 89, 1989

Keith Haring (1958-1990) Wells Network 89, 1989 Marker on paper 9-5/8 x 8-1/2 inches (24.4 x 21.6 cm) Signed and dated lower center: K. Haring '89 PROVENANCE: The artist; David T. Peterson, Grayslake, Illinois; By descent to the present owner. NOTE: "In the spring of 1989, at the invitation of a local teacher named Irving Zucker, artist Keith Haring came to Chicago to paint a 500-foot-long mural in Grant Park with the help of more than 400 CPS high school students. The project was a PR sensation. . . . Two other Haring murals materialized in the city around the same time: one on the fourth floor of Rush University Medical Center's atrium, the other inside Wells Community Academy High School in West Town. The latter, a characteristically colorful floor-to-ceiling piece depicting humanoid forms in motion, is dated '89 and carries Haring's signature, but the mural was actually completed a couple of days before Haring's arrival in Chicago, as a sort of welcome to the artist. "According to Zucker, Haring sent the school a sort of architectural working drawing for the mural, which was executed by fellow teacher Tony Abboreno, an abstract artist, and Wells High School art students; Abboreno did the outlines and the students filled them in. 'Of course, Keith gave it his final approval and then signed it in his own hand,' Zucker adds" (chicagoreader.com/When Keith Haring Painted Chicago). While he was visiting William H. Wells Community Academy High School, Haring doodled the present lot, Wells Network 89, on a piece of paper, which he gave to the school's principal, Mr. David T. Peterson. The drawing is laid down on the reverse of sheet of paper with the typed agenda of the student committee that planned the mural theme: Theme Selection Student Committee Wells Community Academy January 27, 1989 Agenda 1/ Put names on badges 2/ Milk and cookies 3/ Background on Keith Haring 4/ Review Proposal 5/ Preparing to Choose a Theme The lot is accompanied by a photograph of William H. Wells Community Academy High School students with Keith Haring in front of the mural. HID03101062020 © 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Condition Report: Framed Dimensions 16 X 13.875 Inches Heritage Auctions strongly encourages in-person inspection of items by the bidder. Statements by Heritage regarding the condition of objects are for guidance only And should Not be relied upon as statements of fact, And do Not constitute a representation, warranty, Or assumption of liability by Heritage. All lots offered are sold "As Is"