Keith Haring (After): Nelson Mandella Original Birthday Concert Free South Africa 1988
Keith Haring (After)
Original Concert Poster, 1988
offset lithograph on paper
22.5 x 16"
unframed
Nelson Mandella Birthday Concert Original Poster
Keith Haring (After): Untitled, 1988 for Nelson Mandella's 70th Birthday tribute Concert, "The struggle is my life . I will continue fighting for Freedom until the End". Original Birthday Concert Free South Africa Poster, 1988. 22.5 x 16". Offset Lithograph on paper. Provenance: Private Collection, South Africa, Jessica Leigh Collection, Bedford Art Gallery, Brooklyn, New York.
On June 11, 1988, approximately 75,000 people filled Wembley Stadium for the iconic Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute Concert. The event was broadcast live to 67 countries, reaching an estimated global audience of 600 million viewers. It served as a powerful celebration of Nelson Mandela's upcoming milestone birthday and a rallying cry for his release from prison, amplifying the international fight against apartheid.
Renowned artist Keith Haring was commissioned to create an untitled artwork for the occasion—most notably featured as a poster depicting a striking silhouette breaking free from chains, paired with Mandela's famous words, "The struggle is my life." Haring, a passionate advocate for justice, equality, and peace, used his bold, iconic style to support the anti-apartheid cause through this piece.
