Keith Haring x Round21 Introducing the Keith Haring "Bloom" special edition soccer ball from Round21 featuring one of Keith Haring's most iconic works—the flower—now on the canvas of soccer. "Art should be something that liberates the soul, provokes the imagination and encourages people to go further. [By] taking it off the pedestal, I'm giving it back to the people." - Keith Haring STORY: The flower portrayed in this special edition release reflects Keith Haring's optimistic belief in blossoming creativity and love within all of us. Made with a 100% TPU cover, the "Bloom" ball by Keith Haring x Round21 comes fully inflated in a special edition display box and is a standard size 5 and standard weight. © Keith Haring Foundation. Licensed by Artestar, New York THE ARTIST: KEITH HARING Keith Haring (1958-90) was one of the most renowned of the young artists, filmmakers, and performers whose work responded to urban street culture of the 1980s. Inspired by the graffiti artists whose marks covered the city's subway cars, Haring began to draw in white chalk over the black paper used to cover vacant advertising panels. Not only was Haring able to reach a large and diverse audience with his subway drawings, but, eventually, the subway became, as Haring said, a "laboratory" for working out his ideas. As early as 1980, Haring began exhibiting in galleries and museums around the world, but continued to participate in public projects, including literacy campaigns and anti-AIDS initiatives. Before his death, Keith Haring established a foundation in his name to maintain and enhance his legacy of giving to children's and AIDS organizations. Throughout his career, Haring produced murals, sculptures and paintings to benefit hospitals, underprivileged children's groups and various community health organizations. The Foundation is also committed to sustaining and expanding public awareness of Keith Haring. By working with museums, galleries, publishers and art education programmers, the Foundation is able to provide information and artwork to the public that might otherwise remain unexplored in archives. Keith Haring died in New York in February 1990 of AIDS, at the age of 31. THE DETAILS: Special edition premium official size 5 soccer ball Collector packaging with gold emboss lettering Premium composite leather cover basketball as canvas © Keith Haring Foundation. Licensed by Artestar NYC
