Totem [concrete], 1988/1989
Wall relief, cast in concrete, 180 x 56 x 5 cm (71 x 22 x 2 in). Edition of 25, signed and numbered.
This work from the Totem series – a series that includes only three editions, all of which Keith Haring created for Edition Schellmann – is made from concrete and represents a muted, monochromatic counterpart to his colorful Totem made from wood. Produced in the 1980s, a period of significant social and political upheaval, all the Totem works embody Haring’s deep engagement with contemporary culture and his belief in art as a powerful means of communication and social transformation. Haring drew inspiration from indigenous art and ancient civilizations, and arranged his iconic figures and symbols in dynamic compositions to convey universal themes of love, unity and spirituality.
Renowned for their striking visual impact and timeless message of love and unity, the Totem series remains one of the artist’s most significant bodies of work.
