Free South Africa is a lithograph by Keith Haring from 1985. Along with his social activism as an advocate for those battling HIV/AIDS, Haring also spoke out against the racist Apartheid government policy of South Africa in the ‘80s. Haring published the Free South Africa poster in a large (but unknown) edition size, in order to widely distribute the artwork in New York in an effort to garner support in opposition of Apartheid.

Haring shows a black silhouette that steps on a much smaller, white figure that appears to represent the oppressive government of South Africa as denoted with a red “X.” Although the figure that symbolizes the oppressed seems to overpower the government, the chain around the black silhouette’s neck and the “Free South Africa” text communicate a clear call to action in continuing the battle against the injustices of Apartheid.

This poster represents one piece of Keith Haring’s larger Free South Africa project, which includes 3 other prints besides this poster.