Flying Angel is a silkscreen print with embossing crafted by Keith Haring in 1990, marking one of his last artistic endeavors before his passing. As a part of the five-piece Icon Series, this artwork adopts a distinctively cartoonish style to provide commentary on pressing social issues that resonated with Haring. A devoted political activist, Haring seamlessly wove themes of life, death, sexuality, and health into his art.

Drawing from Christian iconography, Haring frequently revisited religious motifs in this series. Flying Angel portrays an angel characterized by yellow wings, encased in Haring’s signature thick, black lines. These bold strokes impart a sense of dynamic movement and vivid energy. The angel’s upward trajectory was a deliberate design choice by Haring, alluding to the ethereal realm of Heaven.

The depiction of the angel symbolizes Haring’s reinterpretation of religious themes to address what he perceived as the pressing challenges of his time. Through this celestial figure, he voiced concerns about the socio-political climate of the 90s. Moreover, Flying Angel navigates the nuanced interplay between good and evil, faith and sexuality, and life’s transient nature. The artwork underscores the delicate balance between life and death, emphasized by the angel’s ascent towards Heaven.

Haring’s fascination with the evocative power of religious symbols is evident. In Flying Angel, the imagery serves as a metaphorical bridge between biblical tales and contemporary interpretations of life, Heaven, and the inevitable end. By employing straightforward forms, recurring patterns, and repetitive motifs, Haring conveyed intricate messages that amplified his political activism.