Keith Haring (American, 1958 - 1990). "Untitled Paintings - Knokke [on man's leather jacket]". Acrylic paintings. 1987. Signed and dated, verso. Condition: overall very good to fine condition with gentle wear to the leather. No holes, tears, stains, etc. Zipper works. No label. Size: medium/large, approximately U.S. size 42. Provenance: The artist; gifted to a Belgian acquaintance; to Danish art dealer; to Swedish gallerist; to Paradise Valley, Arizona collector. After receiving his freshly painted jacket back from Haring, the original owner recounted how the paintings came into being: “What happened was that I met Keith Haring in Knokke [Belgium], without knowing who he was. He and another Belgian artist R. Nellens were looking for surfaces he could draw on. When my ex. wife was in the surf world and also participated in international competitions, I knew where there was a container from the surf club in Knokke which had a white surface. After a few phone calls (for D. Stevens and others) he was allowed to daub surf club container. We spent the afternoon and evening together, and the day after he began painting / drawing of the container [the now famous “Lost Haring Container” from the Channel Surf Club]. To keep the story short, as a thank you for this and to keep people at a distance while he painted, I got my leather jacket back with paintings on [it] which he had painted when I was away on drinks. I do not know how excited I was at that moment, since it was my favorite jacket! Since I the day before had mentioned that I had birthday in August, I thought, however, that it was a sweet gesture with which he expressed his thanks and friendship. I have had the jacket hanging in a closet since then and used it from time to time.” Roger Nellens (b.1937) is not only an artist but also a very important art collector whose collection includes numerous works by Niki de Saint Phalle, Dali, Magritte, etc. He was also co-owner of Knokke Casino that Haring later decorated. Haring stayed with the Nellens family when he was in Knokke, painting a mural in their house. The event is described in Haring literature on several occasions. Images copyright © The Keith Haring Foundation. [29277] |30000| {R100} (TL19) szzzz~ozzzz