For the exhibition design of Keith Haring's first major show in the UK, design practice InterestingProjects has taken heed from the distinct material and countercultural context of 1980s New York City.
The show, which is on display at Tate Liverpool until 10 November, features more than 85 works, following Haring's development from a young artist to a pop icon and finally a political activist.

For Joana Filipe and James Mason of InterestingProjects, the key was to pick up some of the elements that characterised the distinct look and feel of Haring's New York without being too on the nose.
"At the time, the city was almost bankrupt," Filipe told Dezeen. "Police officers were being let go, crime levels were rising, there were strikes and protests ? the city was slowly and visibly being left to perish." "We wanted to create a backdrop to his work that used the same sort of language without using 'aged materials'. That's why it felt right to use materials like corrugated metal and chipboard, both of which are linked to the idea of temporary construction and help reflect the transitory stage the city was going through at the time."

A similarly measured approach was necessary when referencing Haring's instantly recognisable style within the exhibition's design.
"His style is very iconic and bold, so we felt it was crucial to play along with this without overshadowing it," said Filipe.
"From the start we decided that colour blocks wou...