Kenny Scharf's Latest Work Dedicated to Ally Haring Revealed: 'Kenny Scharf & Keith Haring: K!K!' First Posthumous Duo Exhibition Opens at Nakamura Keith Haring Museum on June 6!
Nakamura Keith Haring Museum will host 'Kenny Scharf & Keith Haring: K!K!' from June 6, 2026, to May 16, 2027. This landmark duo exhibition—the first since Haring's death—explores their deep friendship and artistic synergy, featuring a newly commissioned painting by Scharf dedicated to Haring. Concurrent with Scharf's solo show at NANZUKA UNDERGROUND in Tokyo, this offers a rare opportunity to experience Scharf's work in Japan.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 19, 2026 at 23:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 19, 2026 at 14:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 27, 2026 at 09:51 (187h 19m after Collected)
Nakamura Keith Haring Museum (Hokuto City, Yamanashi) will hold the exhibition 'Kenny Scharf & Keith Haring: K!K!' from Saturday, June 6, 2026, to Sunday, May 16, 2027, featuring Kenny Scharf (1958–) and Keith Haring (1958–1990).
Born in the same year and having moved to New York in 1978, Scharf and Haring met at the School of Visual Arts (SVA). They became iconic figures in the 'East Village art scene' that shone uniquely in 1980s New York.
As the first duo exhibition since Haring's passing, this show presents a new perspective on their individual works while introducing their relationship through collaborative projects and interconnected activities. Furthermore, the museum will premiere a new commission—a painting by Scharf dedicated to his ally Haring—which will be newly added to the museum's collection. Over 35 years after Haring's death, this exhibition depicts their deep friendship.
Additionally, Kenny Scharf's solo exhibition 'ShimiShimiKao!' will be held simultaneously at NANZUKA UNDERGROUND (Shibuya, Tokyo) from Saturday, May 30, 2026, to Saturday, June 27, 2026. These two venues provide a precious chance to engage with Scharf's works in Japan.
## Highlights and New Commission
To commemorate this exhibition, Scharf's latest commissioned work (title TBD) will be newly acquired by the museum. Debuting at this exhibition, the work evokes Haring's iconic 'Radiant Baby.' Scharf's latest creation celebrates the universality of Haring's symbolic forms while birthing a new life form through Scharf's characteristic rich color sense and narrative details. The title will be announced at the preview, where the artist will sign the back of the canvas.
## Exhibition Structure
The exhibition consists of three parts showcasing their activities and relationship:
1. **Keith Haring**: Starting with the early video work 'Painting Myself into a Corner,' symbolizing their first meeting. Valuable early works from the museum collection will be shown alongside late-career 'Blueprint Drawings,' introducing the consistent expression and philosophy of Haring's life.
2. **Kenny Scharf and Keith Haring**: The core section of the exhibition, focusing on joint projects and their mutual artistic influence.
3. **Kenny Scharf**: Presenting the world of Scharf, who continues to be active, and his artistic evolution following Haring's death.
Born in the same year and having moved to New York in 1978, Scharf and Haring met at the School of Visual Arts (SVA). They became iconic figures in the 'East Village art scene' that shone uniquely in 1980s New York.
As the first duo exhibition since Haring's passing, this show presents a new perspective on their individual works while introducing their relationship through collaborative projects and interconnected activities. Furthermore, the museum will premiere a new commission—a painting by Scharf dedicated to his ally Haring—which will be newly added to the museum's collection. Over 35 years after Haring's death, this exhibition depicts their deep friendship.
Additionally, Kenny Scharf's solo exhibition 'ShimiShimiKao!' will be held simultaneously at NANZUKA UNDERGROUND (Shibuya, Tokyo) from Saturday, May 30, 2026, to Saturday, June 27, 2026. These two venues provide a precious chance to engage with Scharf's works in Japan.
## Highlights and New Commission
To commemorate this exhibition, Scharf's latest commissioned work (title TBD) will be newly acquired by the museum. Debuting at this exhibition, the work evokes Haring's iconic 'Radiant Baby.' Scharf's latest creation celebrates the universality of Haring's symbolic forms while birthing a new life form through Scharf's characteristic rich color sense and narrative details. The title will be announced at the preview, where the artist will sign the back of the canvas.
## Exhibition Structure
The exhibition consists of three parts showcasing their activities and relationship:
1. **Keith Haring**: Starting with the early video work 'Painting Myself into a Corner,' symbolizing their first meeting. Valuable early works from the museum collection will be shown alongside late-career 'Blueprint Drawings,' introducing the consistent expression and philosophy of Haring's life.
2. **Kenny Scharf and Keith Haring**: The core section of the exhibition, focusing on joint projects and their mutual artistic influence.
3. **Kenny Scharf**: Presenting the world of Scharf, who continues to be active, and his artistic evolution following Haring's death.
FAQ
中村キース・ヘリング美術館での展覧会「K！K！」の開催期間は？
2026年6月6日（土）から2027年5月16日（日）まで開催されます。
本展覧会で初公開される特別な作品は何ですか？
ケニー・シャーフが盟友キース・ヘリングに捧げるために制作した、コミッションワークの最新作（ペインティング）が初公開されます。
ケニー・シャーフとキース・ヘリングはどのような関係ですか？
1978年にニューヨークの美術学校で出会い、1980年代の「イーストヴィレッジ・アートシーン」を共に象徴する存在となった深い友情で結ばれた盟友です。
展示の構成はどうなっていますか？
（1）キース・ヘリング、（2）ケニー・シャーフとキース・ヘリング、（3）ケニー・シャーフの3部構成で、二人の活動と関係性を紹介します。
同時開催される関連イベントはありますか？
東京都渋谷区のNANZUKA UNDERGROUNDにて、2026年5月30日から6月27日まで、ケニー・シャーフ個展「ShimiShimiKao!」が開催されます。