CRACK IS WACK RESTORATION
August, 2019
What is going on with Keith Haring's famous Crack is Wack mural in Harlem?
The 1986 mural is actually the second "Crack is Wack" mural to be painted on that site. Originally inspired by Haring's studio assistant who had been struggling with a crack addiction, Haring chose the high publicity East Harlem handball court on 128th and the FDR Drive. After painting the first mural, Haring was arrested for vandalism, then mural was completely painted over in gray by the Parks Department, who later apologized and asked Haring to repaint the mural, eventually naming the park "Crack is Wack Playground" after Haring's death. Today it is arguably the most famous mural in NYC.
Haring after repainting the mural with Parks Department assistance
Recent photos show the mural covered with paint, but luckily it is being restored by the Parks Department who with the help of the Haring Foundation selected an artist to repair the mural. “I just take my chisel and hammer it out as hard as I can without damaging it, then I take my little scraper and I scrape it. I fill it with water sealer, then fill it with concrete,” the artist told amNY.
The mural before restoration