Untitled (S Man) is a 1987 work by Keith Haring. The American Pop artist was renowned for his playful style which incorporated vibrant colors and simple, dynamic forms. Inspired by comics, graffiti, and children’s illustrations, Haring’s style has proven its appeal to audiences of all ages. Haring, too, was actively devoted to pursuing social change and tackled a wide range of content including the AIDS epidemic, digital media, politics, LGBTQ+ rights, and more. Melding his activism with his whimsical touch, Haring ensured that his messages were truly universally accessible.

Many of these messages were communicable through the symbolic language that Haring developed over the course of his remarkable career. Similar in nature to Egyptian hieroglyphics, this visual vernacular enabled Haring to revisit themes and create specific narratives for his audiences to explore.

Untitled (S Man) depicts a red, neutral form in the act of putting its “S” curved arms through two holes in its body. The figure stands alone on a speckled ground, perhaps a reference to the AIDS crisis, the effects of which were ever-present in all aspects of life at the time. The empty spaces in the figure are a recurring motif in Haring’s oeuvre, an image that came to the artist after the murder of John Lennon. It explores, in a very literal sense, the concept of human emptiness.

Untitled (S Man)‘s perplexing position, highlighted with gestural lines, elicits an innate urge in the audience to forge a connection, fostering a sense of compassion and relatability. This work is a beautiful example of Haring’s ability to express complex ideas and emotions with simplicity and specificity of form.