The one museum dedicated to the work of pop art legend Keith Haring is now free to access from your own home. The physical museum, the Nakamura Keith Haring Collection, lies high in the mountains of Japan. Thanks to Google Arts and Culture, you no longer need to make that trek to the Yamanashi Prefecture, in order to enjoy the iconic collection.
Alongside a digital walkthrough of the museum, art lovers can also view 160 digitised Haring works, from the 300 strong collection based at the museum. The virtual collection features famous pieces such as his legendary anti-apartheid poster from 1985, along with items from the artists second store, the Pop Shop Tokyo. The virtual walkthrough will also feature texts and quotes on the artist’s relationship with Japan, along with a look at the breath-taking forest surroundings of the museum.
The museum first opened its doors in 2007, after the founder, Dr Kazuo Nakamura had garnered a substantial collection of Keith Haring’s works, beginning in 1987. The Nakamura Keith Haring Collection is the only museum in the world to exclusively exhibit the works of Keith Haring.
The virtual collection was released online during the peak of the pandemic in Japan, and will remain online until further notice, regardless of the museum reopening physically.
Earlier in the year, during a period of lockdown in most countries, the National Gallery of Victoria launched a virtual programme in which users could access the works of Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat. The two are arguably the most influential artists of the late 20th century, famous for their use of signs, symbols and words to convey strong social and political messages.
Using the programme, guests can view more than 200 artworks on display, showcasing the two artists beginnings in New York City, including their early collaborations.
To view the online gallery from the Nakamura Keith Haring Collection, click here. Alternatively, you can view the collection from the National Gallery of Victoria by clicking here.
