2023 marks the 40th anniversary of Keith Haring’s iconic art legacy, a milestone that celebrates his tremendous impact on the art world and beyond. His unique style, characterized by bold linework, dynamic figures, and thought-provoking symbolism, captivated audiences in the subways and on the sidewalks of New York City.
Notably, one recurring element in Haring’s art was the inclusion of a Timex watch. But his admiration for Timex watches went beyond just their affordability and durability. To him, they represented something much greater - the value of time and the importance of using it wisely.
By featuring the Timex watch as a motif in his subway drawings, he celebrated the universality of this timeless accessory and reminded viewers of the fleeting nature of life. His clock-headed figures served as contemporary memento mori that reflected his own races against time, such as the task of completing a drawing before the subway arrived. He continued to create art that urged the viewer to face their own race against time; a message that resonated with people of all backgrounds below the New York City streets.
His passion for his craft and the message he conveyed through it is a reminder that time is not something to be wasted but something to be cherished, each and every day. As we commemorate the 40th anniversary of Haring's art, we celebrate his artistic brilliance and the enduring impact of his message about time.
Each watch in the Timex x Keith Haring collection has a striking black and white color scheme that pays tribute to his earliest pop art drawings hastily sketched with white chalk onto the empty black advertising panels of NYC’s subways. Recognizable elements from his work bring an artistic energy to the overall design, with his signature hour markers and Timex-headed figure reminding the wearer to face their own race against time and make every second count.
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