Keith Haring was one of the most renowned of the young artists, filmmakers, and performers whose work was in conversation with urban street culture of the 1980s. Inspired by the graffiti artists whose marks covered the citys subway cars, Haring began to draw in white chalk over the black paper used to cover vacant advertising panels.

As early as 1980, Haring began exhibiting in galleries and museums around the world, but continued to participate in public projects, producing murals, sculptures and paintings to benefit hospitals, underprivileged children’s groups and various community health organizations.

When he opened his Pop Shop at 292 Lafayette Street, he thought of it as a physical extension of his work, a place where everyone was welcome to experience his art. He believed in using commercial projects like the Pop Shop to reach people who would otherwise never come in contact with his message, a legacy that lives on today in this box of pencils.

Volume 292 is our tribute to Keith Haring. Each pencil features Haring’s dancing figures and our balanced graphite.