In 1984 on the invitation of ACCA’s inaugural director, John Buckley, New York street artist Keith Haring spent three weeks in Australia.
While here Keith Haring undertook two temporary murals, one on the waterwall of the National Gallery of Victoria and the other in the forecourt of the Art Gallery of NSW. While in Melbourne, Haring was involved in the Fashion Design Council’s Moomba event ‘An Hour of High Velocity Fashion’ where he executed several body paintings. He also completed a publicly sited outdoor mural at what was then the Collingwood Technical College on Johnston Street. This work was recently conserved by the Victorian Government. During his stay Haring also produced a series of works on paper that were later exhibited at ACCA’s Dallas Brooks Drive location.
In 2012 the City of Yarra commissioned ACCA to produce a print an online project that documented Keith Haring’s visit to Australia. Visit www.melbourneharingmural.com.au for a selection of media, documentation and interviews of Keith Haring’s visit and the Collingwood mural.
In the Press
16 February, CCA press release, CCA inaugural project
16 February, NGV press release, NGV transformed by graffiti
2 March, CCA press release, Keith Haring’s final week in Melbourne
14 March, Melbourne Times, Collingwood Tech’s wall of renown
Other Material
Keith Haring CV
Haring VCA payment slip
