Keith Haring’s Totem series, released in 1988/1989, consists of several editions in different mediums, including a three-part woodcut print on Japanese paper, a carved and painted wood relief sculpture, and a cast concrete wall relief. The artwork is a powerful exploration of human connection, spirituality, and mortality, executed in Haring’s signature bold, graphic style.
Introduction
A totem, or doodem, is a spirit being, a sacred object that serves as an emblem of people. Borne of the North American Ojibwe culture, who believe in tutelary spirits and deities, the term has evolved and been incorporated into various cultures worldwide to represent a personal identification with a spirit guide. Doodem directly translated means ‘to do with one’s heart’ and is connected to a clan or ancestry, linking the living to the dead, and the past to the present.
‘The drawings I do have very little to do with classical, post-renaissance drawings, where you try to imitate life or make it appear to be life-like.
My drawings don’t try to imitate life; they try to create life, to invent life. That’s a much more so-called primitive idea, which is the reason that my drawings look like they could be Aztec or Egyptian or Aboriginal… and why they have so much in common with them. It has the same attitude towards drawing: inventing images. You’re sort of depicting life, but you’re not trying to make it life-like. I don’t use colors to try to look life-like, and I don’t use lines to try look life-like. It’s also much more Pop, I guess, after growing up in a really carbon-and comic-dominated period. And, also, growing up with Pop art.’
Shabti of Neferibre-saneith, 6th century B.C., Szepmueveszeti Muzeum, Budapest. Image: The Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest/Scala, Florence
For Keith Haring, who had been drawn to the imagery of ancient and primitive cultures throughout his career, the symbolic spiritualism of a totemic object made it the perfect form for his own idiosyncratic visual lexicon of signs and symbols. Made the same year as the artist was diagnosed with AIDS, the sarcophagus shape recognizes man’s mortality but hints at an embalmed, immortal afterlife. Within the confines of the concrete sarcophagus outlines, Haring’s energetic and busy figures are pushing the boundaries in which they’ve been encased. Jumping and reaching toward the sun, the two figures at the top of Totem are living, striving for that which we all chase. Reflective of Haring’s own history, challenging societal norms, Totem captures the vitality of life but reminds us of its impermanence.
1. Totem (Woodcut) (Littmann pp.158-159)
The most recognized print edition is a large-scale, three-part woodcut on Japanese paper. It features a single, vertically oriented, human-like figure composed of Haring’s iconic “matchstick” men and symbols in a symmetrical pattern, primarily in red and black ink. This edition is signed and numbered in an edition of 60.
2. Totem (Carved Plywood)
Keith Haring also created a vibrant, colorful edition made from carved plywood, painted with enamel in various colors. This is a signed and numbered edition of 35.
3. Totem (Concrete)
The third version is a muted, monochromatic counterpart to the wood sculpture, cast in concrete. This is a signed and numbered edition of 25.
Produced during the socially and politically turbulent 1980s, Totem embodies Haring’s belief in art as a tool for communication and social transformation, reflecting his activism on issues such as the AIDS crisis and social justice.
The Totem series remains one of Haring’s most significant and sought-after bodies of work, celebrated for its striking visual impact and timeless, universal message. It exemplifies his signature style of dynamic, bold lines and accessible imagery that bridges the gap between urban street art, pop art, and ancient artistic traditions. The print edition is held in major museum collections, including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York. The series continues to inspire audiences with its vibrant energy and profound humanism.
2025 Auction Results
Totem (Wood), 1988-89
Sotheby’s London: 24 September 2025
Estimated: GBP 150,000 – 250,000
GBP 279,400 / USD 374,395
AUCTION RECORD FOR TOTEM
KEITH HARING (1958 – 1990)
Totem, 1988-89
Carved plywood painted with enamel in colours
Signed in black felt-tip pen, datedand numbered 3/35 on the reverse
This work is number 3 from the edition of 35 plus seven artist’s proofs
2024 Auction Results
Totem (Wood), 1988-89
Phillips London: 18 January 2024
Estimated: GBP 150,000 – 200,000
GBP 241,300 / USD 304,786
KEITH HARING
Totem (Wood), 1988
Unique carved plywood wall relief painted with enamel in colors
Signed, dated and annotated ‘HC’ in black felt-tip pen on the accompanying metal plaque
One of three unique color and image trial proofs
This example with the image laterally reversed
The edition was 35 and 5 artist’s proofs
Totem (L. 158-159), 1989
Bukowskis Stockholm: 25 April 2024
Estimated: SEK 500,000 – 700,000
SEK 620,000 (Hammer)
SEK 775,000 / USD 70,525
Totem (Littmann p. 158-9), 1989
2023 Auction Results
Totem (L. 158-159), 1989
Bonhams New-York: 9 May 2023
Estimated: USD 40,000 – 60,000
USD 82,275
Woodcut in colors on three sheets of Japan paper
Signed in pencil, dated and numbered 4/60 (there were also 12 artist’s proofs)
2022 Auction Results
Totem (Wood), 1989
Sotheby’s New-York: 28 October 2022
Estimated: USD 150,000 – 250,000
USD 277,200
KEITH HARING (1958-1990)
Totem, 1989
This work is a bon à tirer example aside from the edition of 35 plus seven artist’s proofs
Signed in black felt-tip pen, dated 1989 and inscribed BAT on the reverse
Totem (Concrete), 1989
Phillips London: 15 June 2022
Estimated: GBP 60,000 – 80,000
GBP 138,600 / USD 168,290
KEITH HARING
Totem (Concrete), 1989
Cast concrete wall relief
Signed and dated in black felt-tip pen on the accompanying metal plaque
A proof aside the edition of 25 (there were also 5 in Roman numerals and 7 artist’s proofs)
Totem (Concrete), 1989
K Auction Seoul: 21 December 2022
Estimated: KRW 70,000,000 – 180,000,000
KRW 85,100,000 / USD 66,280
KEITH HARING
Totem (Concrete), 1989
Concrete
Signed, dated and numbered 3/25 on the reverse
Totem (Woodcut) (L. 158-159)
Totem
Medium: Woodcut in black and red on three sheets of Inshu-Kozu Japanese paper
Year: 1989
Image: 72 x 21 7/8 inches (183 x 55.5 cm)
Sheet: 76 1/8 x 34 7/8 inches (193.5 x 88.5 cm)
Edition: 60
Artist’s Proofs: 12 AP
Hors Commerce: X HC (10 numbered in Roman numerals)
Printer’s Proofs: 5 PP
Publisher: Edition Schellmann, Munich and New York
Printer: Karl Imhof, Munich
Literature: Littmann pp. 158-159
One sheet signed, dated and numbered in pencil
Auction Results
Bukowskis Stockholm: 25 April 2024
Estimated: SEK 500,000 – 700,000
SEK 620,000 (Hammer)
SEK 775,000 / USD 70,525
Totem (Littmann p. 158-9), 1989
Bonhams New-York: 9 May 2023
Estimated: USD 40,000 – 60,000
USD 82,275
Woodcut in colors on three sheets of Japan paper
Signed in pencil, dated and numbered 4/60 (there were also 12 artist’s proofs)
Estimated: EUR 40,000 – 60,000
EUR 47,500 / USD 57,520
KEITH HARING
Totem, 1989
Color woodcut on Inshu-Kozu Japan paper, 3 parts
Signed, dated, numbered 22/60 and with artist signum
Phillips London: 23 January 2020
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 20,000
GBP 47,500 / USD 62,345
KEITH HARING
Totem, 1989
Woodcut in black and red, on three sheets of Inshu-Kozu Japanese paper
One sheet signed, dated and numbered ‘HC IV/X’ in pencil
(one of 10 hors commerce copies, the edition was 60 and 12 artist’s proofs)
Ketterer Kunst Munich: 6 December 2019
Estimated: EUR 14,000
EUR 60,000 / USD 69,600
KEITH HARING
Totem (3-parts), 1989
Woodcut in colors on Japon
Signed, dated and numbered on left sheet
From an edition of 60 copies
Phillips London: 6 June 2019
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 20,000
GBP 43,750 / USD 55,655
Totem, 1989
Woodcut in black and red, on three sheets of Inshu-Kozu Japanese paper
An unnumbered archive proof aside from the edition of 60 and 12 artist’s proofs
Totem (Carved Plywood)
Totem
Medium: Carved plywood painted with enamel in colors
Year: 1988-1989
Size: 72 1/4 x 21 7/8 x 2 inches (183.5 x 55.5 x 5 cm)
Edition: 35
Artist’s Proofs: 7
Publisher: Edition Schellmann, New York
Signed in black felt-tip, dated and numbered on the reverse
Auction Results
Sotheby’s London: 24 September 2025
Estimated: GBP 150,000 – 250,000
GBP 279,400 / USD 374,395
AUCTION RECORD FOR TOTEM
KEITH HARING (1958 – 1990)
Totem, 1988-89
Carved plywood painted with enamel in colours
Signed in black felt-tip pen, datedand numbered 3/35 on the reverse
This work is number 3 from the edition of 35 plus seven artist’s proofs
Phillips London: 18 January 2024
Estimated: GBP 150,000 – 200,000
GBP 241,300 / USD 304,786
KEITH HARING
Totem (Wood), 1988
Unique carved plywood wall relief painted with enamel in colors
Signed, dated and annotated ‘HC’ in black felt-tip pen on the accompanying metal plaque
One of three unique color and image trial proofs
This example with the image laterally reversed
The edition was 35 and 5 artist’s proofs
Sotheby’s New-York: 28 October 2022
Estimated: USD 150,000 – 250,000
USD 277,200
KEITH HARING (1958-1990)
Totem, 1989
This work is a bon à tirer example aside from the edition of 35 plus seven artist’s proofs
Signed in black felt-tip pen, dated 1989 and inscribed BAT on the reverse
Sotheby’s New-York: 24 October 2019
Estimated: USD 100,000 – 150,000
USD 187,500
KEITH HARING (1958-1990)
TOTEM, 1988-89
Carved plywood painted with enamel in colors
Signed in black felt-tip pen, dated and numbered 6/35 on a plaque affixed to the reverse
(total edition includes seven artist’s proofs)
Phillips London: 6 June 2019
Estimated: GBP 70,000 – 100,000
GBP 150,000 / USD 190,825
KEITH HARING
Totem (Wood), 1988
Carved plywood wall relief painted with enamel in colors
Signed, dated and numbered 2/35 in black felt-tip pen on the accompanying metal plaque
(there were also 7 artist’s proofs)
Phillips London: 21 January 2016
Estimated: GBP 70,000 – 100,000
GBP 146,500 / USD 208,315
Totem, 1988
Carved plywood painted with enamel in colors
Signed, dated ’88’ and numbered 7/35 in black felt-tip pen
On a plaque affixed to the reverse
Totem (Concrete)
Totem (Concrete)
Medium: Cast concrete wall relief
Year: 1989
Size: 70 5/8 x 21 1/2 x 1 7/8 inches (179.5 x 54.5 x 5 cm)
Edition: 25 and 5 numbered in Roman numerals
Artist’s Proofs: 7
Trial Proofs: A few with unique color variant
Publisher: Edition Schellmann, Munich and New York
Signed and dated in black felt-tip pen on an accompanying metal plaque
Auction Results
K Auction Seoul: 21 December 2022
Estimated: KRW 70,000,000 – 180,000,000
KRW 85,100,000 / USD 66,280
KEITH HARING
Totem (Concrete), 1989
Concrete
Signed, dated and numbered 3/25 on the reverse
Phillips London: 15 June 2022
Estimated: GBP 60,000 – 80,000
GBP 138,600 / USD 168,290
KEITH HARING
Totem (Concrete), 1989
Cast concrete wall relief
Signed and dated in black felt-tip pen on the accompanying metal plaque
A proof aside the edition of 25 (there were also 5 in Roman numerals and 7 artist’s proofs)
Christie’s London: 5 October 2019
Estimated: GBP 50,000 – 70,000
GBP 87,500 / USD 107,930
KEITH HARING (1958-1990)
Totem (Concrete), 1989
Concrete wall relief
Signed, numbered and dated ’19/25 K. Haring 89′ (on a plaque on the reverse)
This work is number nineteen from an edition of twenty-five plus five artist’s proofs
Phillips London: 6 June 2019
Estimated: GBP 40,000 – 60,000
GBP 137,500 / USD 174,920
KEITH HARING
Totem (Concrete), 1989
Unique cast concrete wall relief painted in black.
Signed, dated and annotated ‘T.P.’ in black felt-tip pen on the accompanying metal plaque
(one of a few unique variant trial proofs before the edition of 25
plus 5 in Roman numerals and 7 artist’s proofs)