Wall painting from Keith Haring's childhood home in Kutztown sells for six figures
Sep. 15—A small painting that renowned artist Keith Haring scrawled on the wall of his childhood home in Kutztown has sold at auction for $143,750.
The gold version of Haring's "Radiant Baby" was painted by the artist on a royal blue, sheet rock wall just above a light switch. It was likely created during a visit by Haring to see his parents after he had moved out of the home.
The small piece, which was painted in what is believed to have been Haring's childhood bedroom, is about four inches tall and five inches wide.
The artwork was sold by the home's current owners, Angela and Scott Garner, who purchased the Victorian house on Whiteoak Street where Haring grew up nearly two decades ago.
It was included in Rago/Wright's fall Post War and Contemporary Art auction, which took place Wednesday at Rago Auctions in Lambertville, N.J.
The sale price of the lot — which also included a pair of Haring posters the Garners found in the home and a set of four cubbies built by Haring's father — far exceeded expectations. It was estimated the set would bring in $30,000 to $50,000.
The Garners said the wall painting was a major selling point when they bought the home in 2004. It was a popular discussion piece, Scott Garner said, and even drew visits from curious art students at nearby Kutztown University.
The couple said they decided to sell the piece in order to help pay the college tuition of their son, Reed, who is currently a high school junior. The family will receive $115,000 of the sale price.
"We are very pleased, of course, with the sale at $115,000," Scott Garner said Thursday. "It was 18 years of patience and months of work. And we are thrilled for our son."
Reed Garner visited the piece at the auction house before it was sold. He said he took a moment to thank Haring, and that he hopes he sees the "Radiant Baby" again some day in the future.
