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Rarely seen Keith Haring works now on display in NYC
By
Hannah Frishberg
Published May 2, 2026
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Courtesy of Kermit Oswald
By
Hannah Frishberg
Published May 2, 2026
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An exhibition of Keith Haring's art, largely unseen for decades, is going on display at Sotheby’s this May.
The deeply personal works by the late artist come from the private collection of his lifelong best friend, Kermit Oswald. They include one of just six known canvas self-portraits ever done by Haring, a dresser Haring painted for Oswald’s son (Haring’s godson), and a crib that Haring painted and was used by all four of Oswald’s children.
Many of the pieces have been in Oswald’s private collection since Haring gifted them to him in the 1970s and ’80s, sometimes after creating them in Oswald’s home, with Oswald at his side.
Crib by Keith Haring
Courtesy of Kermit Oswald
“I can’t separate that memory from what the painting or drawing is,” said Oswald in a phone interview. “For me, the drawing is the afternoon we spent together doing it, the laughter and everything else that went along with it."
Haring and Oswald grew up two-and-a-half blocks from each other in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. They attended kindergarten, middle and high school together and early on recognized their shared interest in art.
“That really bonded us together” and gave them both someone to bounce ideas off of and draw with, Oswald said. “We didn’t have to go looking for each other. We were already there.”
That bond continued through adulthood, with Oswald collaborating with Haring on the fabrication of his sculptures and wood reliefs.
Haring would also often gift Oswald and his wife Lisa work, resulting in them having one of the world's most significant collections of Haring's works when he died from AIDS-related complications in 1990, at age 31.
Keith Haring self-portrait.
Courtesy of Kermit Oswald
“We didn’t have a wall that didn’t have a Haring anywhere in the house, on three floors, said Oswald. “They were everywhere.”
He said he doesn’t regret parting with a portion of the works. “I’m happy to have them out in the world, where other people can hopefully establish their own connection and relationship to them.”
Oswald still retains other works by Haring — and he and his wife are always finding more stashed away in long-unopened books, drawers and flat files.
“We’ve been finding Harings for 50 years in our own home,” he laughed. “It’s like a treasure hunt.”
“Haring’s House: Works From The Collection of Kermit Oswald” will be on display at the Breuer (945 Madison Ave.) May 2-13.
Tagged
Existing in New York City
art
keith haring
new york city
sotheby's
Hannah Frishberg
Hannah Frishberg covers New York City arts and culture. Got a tip? Email Hannah at [email protected].
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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