International Youth Year is a 1985 lithograph by Keith Haring. The work was commissioned by the United Nations to create a work of art to support the initiative that focused on the needs and aspirations of the younger generation. Haring, known for his vibrant and energetic style, embraced this message and created a work that not only celebrated the importance of youth, but also his own investment in fostering their creativity and freedom of expression. Haring’s love of children was a significant influence on this piece. The artwork rendered in his signature style of bold, black lines and bright, vivid colors which exude a sense of joy and excitement, a reflection of the optimism and potential of the younger generation.

Haring’s ability to communicate mood with nothing more than color and simple lines is exemplary in International Youth Year, where the central figure is rendered in a position filled with movement and a childlike spirit of naivety and wonder that would lift the corners of anyone’s lips. As with many of Haring’s works, the imagery in International Youth Year also carries deeper meaning. On the surface, the central figure appears to be celebrating the arrival of a new day, dancing joyfully in the warmth of the sun. However, upon closer examination, the positioning of the character becomes more ambiguous, offering the viewer the option of perceiving the child lifting the sun up above its head, representing youth as the powerful forces for making the future brighter. The sun itself can be seen as a symbol of hope, warmth, and renewal, representing the potential for positive societal evolution that the artist saw in the younger generation.

A vitalistic poster honoring the growing and learning leaders of tomorrow, International Youth Year reflects Haring’s belief in the youngest members of society and in art as a mechanism for activism, change, and community.