Keith Haring
Montreux Jazz Festival (Yellow)
1983
color screen printing
99 × 65 cm
Location: Clichy, France
Documents
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Invoice or proof of purchase
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Certificate of authenticity
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Other documents
About the artwork
This 1983 screenprint features a central, stylized figure rendered in bright pink against a turquoise background, bordered by a vibrant yellow frame. The figure, characterized by its thick black outlines and dynamic posture, appears to be dancing, with swirling lines emanating from its form, suggesting movement and energy. The composition includes a dotted yellow ground beneath the figure's feet. The artwork was created to promote the 17th Montreux Jazz Festival, held from July 8-24, 1983, in Montreux, Switzerland. The text "MONTREUX 1983 JAZZ FESTIVAL - JULY 8-24" is printed at the bottom of the poster. Haring was commissioned to produce three designs for the festival poster, which were produced in different color variations. This particular version, with its yellow border, is one of these designs. The figure's coiled body and outstretched limbs convey a sense of rhythm and fluidity, reflecting the nature of jazz music. The use of bold colors and simplified forms is characteristic of Haring's style, which aimed for direct communication and broad appeal. The design captures the celebratory atmosphere of a music festival, translating sound into a visual experience.
Expert opinion
The 1983 Montreux Jazz Festival posters hold a specific place within Keith Haring's oeuvre as examples of his commercial commissions that retained his distinct artistic vocabulary. These works demonstrate Haring's ability to apply his visual language to public-facing projects, expanding the reach of his art beyond traditional gallery spaces. The series is considered sought-after within the broader collection of Montreux Jazz Festival posters. In the market, these posters are valued as collectible items, often appearing in print sales and art auctions.
About the artist
Keith Haring (1958-1990) was one of the leading figures of New York urban art in the 1980s. After studying at the School of Visual Arts in New York, he made a name for himself by spontaneously drawing with white chalk on black subway billboards. His playful, immediate and engaging style soon met with great success. His work is deeply influenced by graffiti, comics and street culture, but also by strong political themes: the fight against racism, the prevention of AIDS (from which he died in 1990), and the denunciation of social injustice.
Haring firmly believed in the accessibility of art: he opened his Pop Shop in 1986 to make his works affordable, while continuing to produce monumental public works around the world. His works have been exhibited many times, notably in New York in 1982 and in 2013 at the Musée d'Art moderne de la Ville de Paris.
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