Winged Angel
By Keith Haring, 1990
This bold figure comes from Keith Haring, an artist who became famous in the 1980s for his energetic, cartoon-like drawings. He started out making chalk drawings in New York City subway stations, working fast to catch the eye of busy commuters. That street art background shows here in the simple shapes, thick black outlines, and bright color. The piece is part of his "Icons" series, a set of images that captured the symbols he returned to again and again throughout his career.
The winged figure, sometimes called the "Winged Angel," radiates a kind of joyful, glowing energy. You can see the little dashes around the head and body, a signature Haring touch that makes his characters seem to buzz with life and movement. Haring often used these figures to talk about big ideas like love, hope, and human connection, all delivered through a friendly visual language that almost anyone can read at a glance.
It is worth knowing that "Icons 5" was made in 1990, the same year Haring died from AIDS-related illness at just 31 years old. Throughout his short life he used his art to spread positive messages and raise awareness about social causes. This angel feels like a fitting symbol from an artist who believed art should be open and welcoming to everyone, not locked away for a select few.