Untitled 26 (Man on Dolphin) is a 1987 print by American Pop artist Keith Haring. Haring was renowned for his bold style, which took inspiration from his interest in graffiti art and illustration books from his childhood. As much as he was a devoted artist, Haring was a passionate activist who advocated for the accessibility of art and for many social issues including the HIV/AIDS epidemic, LGBTQ+ rights, racism, politics, and apartheid. Haring developed a visual vernacular, similar to hieroglyphics, to integrate powerful messages with his playful works in the form of symbolic spaceships, dancing figures, and barking dogs.

With a whimsical touch and powerful themes, his narratives have beautifully connected diverse cultures and transcended the constraints of time and age.

Untitled 26 (Man on Dolphin) depicts four figures swimming in an ocean of polka dots beneath a form riding a flying dolphin. This work has an ambiguous aura, allowing the audience to contemplate whether the composition exudes delight or is tinged with anxiety. Haring’s ability to imbue neutral figures with a sense of personality and opinion shines in Untitled 26 (Man on Dolphin) through gestural lines. Using dynamic lines and geometric poses, the figures appear to be in a constant state of movement and create the scene of churning ocean and a beachy breeze. Questions drift and swim within the depths of Untitled 26, challenging viewers to open their minds, just as Haring would have wanted.