Keith Haring Lucky Strike (Plate 1), from the Lucky Strike Portfolio, 1987 is the first installment of the artist’s Lucky Strike portfolio of 1987. In this work, Haring illustrates a peculiar figure in yellow, blue, red and white atop a green background. The figure’s entire body is composed of cross contours that renders her into disfigurement. She is adorned in a red dress that mimics popular women’s attire of the 1930s and ‘40s, the most lucrative period for Lucky Strike cigarettes. The woman smokes a “lucky,” and from its smoke arises the Lucky Strike logo above the figure’s head. This imagery mimics visual advertising for cigarettes, but alongside the deformed figure, it propagates the adversities of smoking to the masses.

Keith Haring’s Lucky Strike (Plate 1), 1987 is part of a portfolio of five screenprints in the artist’s Lucky Strike portfolio of 1987. This body of work depicts boxes of Lucky Strike cigarettes, the top-selling brand of cigarettes of the 1930s and ‘40s, alongside some of the artist’s signature illustrations. Featured in this portfolio are Lucky Strike (Plate 1), Lucky Strike (Plate 2), Lucky Strike (Plate 3), Lucky Strike (Plate 4), and Lucky Strike (Plate 5).

Created in 1987, this silkscreen is hand-signed by Keith Haring (Reading, 1958 – New York, 1990) in pencil in the center right image and numbered from the edition of 80 in pencil in the center right image.

Keith Haring Lucky Strike series:

The Keith Haring "Lucky Strike Series" is a significant body of work created by the artist in collaboration with the Lucky Strike cigarette company. Released in 1987, the portfolio consists of 5 screenprints, each featuring Haring's iconic and instantly recognizable imagery.

The "Lucky Strike Series" was commissioned by the American arm of the Lucky Strike brand as part of a series of limited-edition portfolios. Haring was chosen to participate in this project due to his rising prominence in the art world and his ability to create visually compelling and culturally relevant works.

In this portfolio, Haring combined his signature bold lines, vibrant colors, and dynamic figures with Lucky Strike's iconic bullseye logo and brand imagery. Each screenprint features Haring's distinctive characters engaging with elements of the Lucky Strike brand, such as cigarettes, packaging, and the famous bullseye symbol.

The collaboration between Haring and Lucky Strike resulted in a visually striking and thought-provoking series that reflects the artist’s playful and socially conscious approach to his work. Haring was known for his ability to merge popular culture, social activism, and art, and the "Lucky Strike Series'' is a testament to this fusion.

The screenprints in the portfolio incorporate Haring's recurring motifs, including radiant babies, dancing figures, and abstract shapes. The juxtaposition of these elements with the Lucky Strike branding creates a visually engaging dialogue between consumer culture and artistic expression.

The "Lucky Strike Series" also reflects Haring's interest in making art accessible to a wider audience. The portfolio was produced in a limited edition and was intended to reach both art collectors and fans of Haring's work. By collaborating with a well-known brand, Haring aimed to bring his art into everyday life and challenge the boundaries between fine art and commercial culture.

The themes explored in the "Lucky Strike Series" extend beyond the realm of consumerism. Haring often used his art as a platform to address social and political issues, and this series is no exception. Through his imagery, Haring raises questions about the influence of advertising, the impact of consumer culture, and the power dynamics within society.

The "Lucky Strike Series" received positive reception from both art critics and the public, further establishing Haring as a significant figure in the contemporary art world. The portfolio showcased his ability to merge his unique artistic style with corporate branding, resulting in works that are visually engaging, thought-provoking, and socially relevant.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
Keith Haring Lucky Strike (Plate 1), from the Lucky Strike Portfolio, 1987 is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonnés and texts (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoices that will accompany the sale of the work).

1. Littman, Klaus. Keith Haring: Editions on Paper 1982-1990, The Complete Printed Works. Hatje Cantz Publishers: New York, 1993. Listed on pg. 76 and illustrated on pg. 77.
2. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany our Keith Haring Lucky Strike (Plate 1).

About the Framing:
Framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, Keith Haring Lucky Strike (Plate 1), from the Lucky Strike Portfolio, 1987 is presented in a complementary moulding and finished with silk-wrapped mats and optical grade Plexiglas.