Bowery Mural 2008

This old handball court wall is what launched Keith Haring to into public fame, and in turn, Haring indirectly made this wall into the renowned mural canvas it is today. In 1982, he and friend Juan Dubose figured that they could paint a mural on the trash-filled wall because no one would question their motives as long as they cleaned up the space. So they moved out all the trash, moved in the paint, and changed a neighborhood eyesore into a large orange wall filled with Haring’s signature cartoonish figures in motion.

Within a few months the wall had returned to being graffitied. By a turn of fate, Goldman Properties bought the land in 1984, which was run by patron of the arts, Tony Goldman. Not much was done with the wall until 2008, when, in honor of what would have been Haring’s 50th birthday, Goldman worked with gallery founder Jeffrey Deitch to commission a recreation of Haring’s original mural.

Haring was an artist of the 1980s, creating several public works throughout the decade. At first glance his art seemed cartoonish, but it often dealt with existential themes of sexuality, war, birth, and death. Haring died in 1990 at only 31 of AIDS-related complications.

Haring was a mentor to Angel Ortiz, a street artist several years his junior but whom he treated like an equal. This relationship came into play with Goldman’s 2008 mural, which opened to a great reception. However, within days it had been altered: Ortiz, had come overnight to add his own touches. Without painting over any of the art, he filled in the negative space with his own curvy lines and tags. Due partly to his relationship with Haring and possibly to the thoughtfulness of his addition, it also received a warm reception.

Goldman Properties still manages the art on the wall through a partnership with The Hole, a gallery run by former Deitch directors. Top contemporary artists from around the world are selected every few months, with a focus on street artists. After the Haring recreation, artists such as Os Gemeos, Barry McGee, and Kenny Scharf have all painted their own murals on this wall. Shepard Fairey’s contribution, May Day, earned the record as the most tagged-over installation.

This wall tells the story of what could have been an overlooked blemish in the neighborhood. But through the creativity of an artist and the vision of a dedicated developer, it has become a cornerstone of the area.