Babies and Barking Dogs: Keith Haring & Melbourne

Image: Keith Haring Untitled (Mural signature door) (1984) © Keith Haring Foundation

Presented by: NGV in partnership with Midsumma

Midsumma Presents Talks & Tours Talks Visual Arts

Reflecting on American queer artist Keith Haring’s visit to Melbourne in February 1984, we look at his remarkable artistic legacy and ongoing socio-cultural impact.

During his short visit, Haring produced several murals (including on NGV International’s beloved waterwall) and other artworks. Many of these works were unplanned, including two DJ booth panels that he was invited to spray paint at Melbourne’s former Hardware Club, and the small door beneath his still extant Collingwood Mural. Haring covered the DJ booth with barking dogs, and painted a crawling baby on the small door. These works have since entered the NGV Collection and are now on display at NGV International.

Hear about these works and the lasting impact of Haring’s visit to Melbourne, in and beyond the LGBTIQA+ community.

About the Speakers

Angela Bailey is a curator, photographer and creative producer whose practice actively explores and interprets our rich and diverse queer histories and culture by creating exhibitions, installations, discourse and public programs of engagement. Her experiences as a young activist participating in the fight for gay law reform in Queensland continue to inform her work with LGBTIQ+ communities. Angela has a Postgraduate Degree in Fine Art, a Masters of Art Curatorship and is currently a Fellow at Arts Centre Melbourne and Vice President of the Australian Queer Archives.

Beau Newham is a dedicated HIV-positive community leader with extensive contributions to HIV advocacy in Australia and Southeast Asia. He currently works at National Association of People with HIV Australia as their HIV testing lead and manages their public history ‘Tracing our Memories’ project. Beau has also worked internationally with both Yayasan Gaya Dewata (Indonesia) and PT Foundation (Malaysia). As a co-founder of the Queer Indonesia Archive, he also works to preserve LGBTIQA+ histories and HIV in Indonesia.
Beau’s work often explores the ways in which memory, community and HIV intersect. He is passionate about advocating for the community ownership of history and memory and exploring the ways to build greater community engagement with history.

NGV & Midsumma: Queer Histories, Futures & Creativity

Coming together again in 2026, NGV and Midsumma present a series of programs that celebrate queer histories, futures and creativity.

Featuring curator-led tours, conversations and a special edition of NGV Friday Nights, these programs will highlight LGBTQIA+ stories from the early twentieth century through to the present, exploring NGV Collection artworks and the Westwood | Kawakubo and Women Photographers 1900 – 1975: A Legacy of Light exhibitions at NGV International.

For more information visit: https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/program/ngv-x-midsumma/