Rain  Dance is an iconic poster created in 1985 for  UNICEF’s African Emergency Relief Fund.  The image is a collaboration by Andy Warhol, Roy Lichenstein, Keith  Haring, Jean-Michel  Basquiat and Yoko Ono.  The overriding message concerns itself  with clean water which is  a requirement  for a healthy civilization.  Dought, and its  consequence, famine, are all  too well  known in Africa and water is the fundamental element  needed  to make  life  bearable.   The drought that was being directly addressed here was ongoing  in Ethiopia at the time of this work was executed.   Each artist contributed to the theme, creating an unforgettable confluence of ideas  and messages all  of  which coalesced into this  beacon  of hope that is by now recognized world-wide.  "This poster reflects the créme de la créme of New York's artistic and social circles in 1985. Water, so essential to combat drought and famine prevailing in Ethiopia, was the poster's principal message and its theme, rain, is treated from different perspectives by each of the artists: graphic (Lichtenstein's oblique lines), practical (Warhol's umbrellas), ethnographic (the rain dance by Haring), political (Basquiat, combining the homophones rain and reign), and geographic (Ono, whose footsteps illustrate Africans' long walks to reach rare water sources)" (Warhol Posters, p. 116).  

 

Andy Warhol--The most iconic pop artist of our time.  A mentor  to Keith Haring and Jean Michel Basquiat.

 

Jean-Michel Basquiat--Graffiti artist extraordinaire in New York in the 1970s and 1980s.  He met Warhol in 1983 and blossomed under his influence. He collaborated with Warhol on many works. 

 

Keith Haring--The sidewalks and subways of New York City were his canvases.  His themes were the overriding social and political issues of the day; drug abuse, homelessness, exploitation, to mention a few which are still with us today.

 

Roy Lichtenstein--Starting in the 1960s, Lichtenstein  brought commercial  art into popular art.  His  cartoon-like figures are immediately recognizable today.

 

Yoko Ono--She has been a prominent and influential figure in the art world for nearly six decades

 

A donation will be made to the NY Brazilian Artists Fund - Supporting the Brazilian artists in New York impacted by COVID-19 pandemic: https://www.group.br.com/artistsfund with the sale of this print.

 

This print is in New York City and it can be viewed in person, by appointment. We can also send more photos or information. Please send an email to contact@urbanartrevolution.com 

 

Relevant information:

 

This print was bought at this auction in Feb 24, 2019 at Poster Auctions International, Inc

https://auctions.posterauctions.com/lots/view/1-1LU25I/rain-dance-1985

       

https://issuu.com/posterauctions/docs/pai-lxxxii-rare-posters-issu  (pages 116/117)

 

Reference: Haring Posters, 25; Warhol Posters, No. 41; PAI-LXXVII, 128

Key Words: Contemporary; New York; American; Artist: Haring; Artist: Warhol

Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Roy Lichtenstein

 

https://hyperallergic.com/69358/warhol-foundation-selling-rare-and-vintage-posters-on-fab-com/ (this is a copy of this seminal poster signed by several of the contributing artists. Original vintage poster stamped on back with “The Estate of Andy Warhol)

https://www.artsy.net/artwork/andy-warhol-rain-dance-1985-poster

https://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.80751.html

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/rain-dance-unicef-benefit-poster-1985-1841244077