Untitled (Two Panel Mural) was created by Keith Haring and Angel Ortiz, a graffiti artist also known as “Little Angel II”, or simply, “LA II”. Spanning over eight feet square, this two-paneled work represents an important collaboration for Haring as he began producing more art in his studio to complement his public art in New York City’s subways and streets. Drawn with marker and ink in August 1982, this work preceded Haring’s acclaimed debut exhibition at Tony Shafrazi Gallery that October. Uniting Haring’s unique linear style, all-over structure, and iconic figures and symbols with LA II’s signature tags, the two responded to one another’s contributions in turn, producing a work of art that bursts with creativity and visual excitement.
Keith Haring and LA II Untitled (Two Panel Mural), 1982
The two met in 1980, when Haring was 22 and Ortiz was only 14. Working on the Lower East Side, Haring was impressed by LA II’s graffiti, remembering: “I’d see it everywhere. It stood out because it was absolutely perfect and beautiful. It was like discovering SAMO all over again – it was like finding another Jean-Michel.” The two soon became friends and collaborated on numerous projects over the next few years.
It stood out because it was absolutely perfect and beautiful. It was like discovering SAMO all over again – it was like finding another Jean-Michel.
Haring and Ortiz worked together in Haring’s studio on Broome Street, responding to one another in a give-and-take process. According to Haring’s account, “I decided that he could draw his tags on top of the painting with marker. I then went into the negative spaces in and around and between his signatures with my little squiggly lines.” Their collaboration resulted in a frenzy of imagery that resounds with the spirit of New York’s streets. Dispersed across its two panels can be found Ortiz’s tags “LA II” and “LA Rock” together with Haring’s iconic polymorphous figures, a flying saucer, barking dog, and rows of crawling babies.
Haring would continue to collaborate with Ortiz, including on works shown in Haring’s breakthrough show with Shafrazi that fall and in exhibitions in Europe the following year. Their work together was pivotal to Haring’s career as he continued to collaborate with others performers, writers, and artists including Madonna, Grace Jones, Bill T. Jones, William Burroughs, Timothy Leary, Jenny Holzer, Yoko Ono, and Andy Warhol. This vibrant mural is a result of one of Haring’s most significant and productive collaborations at a foundational moment in his career.