The heart was one of Keith Haring’s most powerful and enduring symbols — a vibrant emblem of love, connection, and humanity. Emerging from the streets of 1980s New York, Haring used the heart to communicate directly with the public, transforming it into a universal language of compassion and joy.

For Haring, the heart represented life and unity in a world divided by fear and injustice. During the AIDS crisis, it took on deeper meaning as a symbol of empathy and endurance — a celebration of love’s resilience amid loss. His hearts often pulse with motion, held high by radiant figures or surrounded by lines of energy, embodying his belief that love is an active and collective force.

The motif became central to his oeuvre, linking his street art, paintings, and public murals. Iconic examples include Untitled (Heart) (1982, MoMA, New York), Dancing Figures with Heart (1987, Whitney Museum of American Art), and Red Heart with Dancing Figures (1986, Tate Modern, London).

In Haring’s hands, the heart became more than a symbol — it was a message of hope, a beat that continues to echo with vitality, equality, and the universal rhythm of love.