Bad Boys 5 is a 1986 print by Keith Haring, an iconic American Pop artist. Coming from the portfolio Bad Boys, this print continues an exploration of the body and sensuality with a beautiful ambiguity and flowing lines that challenge the audience to contemplate its meaning.

Haring was known for his geometric style and bright colors, but in Bad Boys 5, he masterfully employs an organic style and black and white that are full of intimate suggestion between the lines. The work, though somewhat more vague than the other prints in its home portfolio, appears to portray a conglomeration of intertwined figures and body parts, challenging clear definitions and inviting multiple interpretations. Through the deliberate use of ambiguity, Haring encourages an open dialogue about sexuality, identity, and desire, challenging rigid societal categorizations and embracing the fluidity of human experiences.

Created during a time when discussing and portraying sexuality openly was considered taboo, the Bad Boys portfolio carries themes of sexuality, identity, and queerness. Examining this work within the context of the pressures of the AIDS epidemic, this work could be considered an act of defiance to social taboos and bid for connection among the LGBTQ+ community with imagery inspired by Haring’s own journey as a gay man. In this way, the Bad Boys 5 becomes a catalyst for dialogue and a powerful statement against the suppression of sexual expression.