Steve Kaufman

Early life

Steve Kaufman was born in 1960 in the Bronx, New York, the middle child, surrounded by an extended family, many of whom were painters and sculptors that were a significant influence on him and his views on art. His father died when he was four years old. His mother painted high fashion oils on canvas, and he was taught sculpting by his uncles. Kaufman commented on his family, "They taught me that to be an artist is to be always changing. So I tried all different forms of art and today I have 15 different styles that I work in. Art should always be about changing. A lot of artists will work in one medium their whole career, but I didn't want to every get bored. I was taught that canvas is not the only thing to paint on." Kaufman had his first show at age eight, at a Jewish Temple in the Bronx.

At the age of 8, he was sponsored by a synagogue and held his first one-man art show at a Bronx bank, presenting images that were later donated to the Jewish Holocaust Memorial in Brooklyn, New York.

In 1975, Kaufman participated in a group graffiti art show at the prestigious Whitney Museum of American Art.

The young Kaufman, having been tutored by an architect friend, projected his grandfather's images of The Holocaust on rounds of wood cut from trees, the tree rings symbolizing the passing of years. He practiced, he worked, he became very excited about the times in which he lived. By the age of 12, he was working at Macy's Department Store on 34th Street in Manhattan, painting customized faces on Pet Rocks purchased by customers.

At 14, Kaufman participated with nine other New York City students in a cultural art exchange with students in Japan, resulting in his attaining a scholarship to the Parsons School of Design.

1980s

By the time he was 16, Kaufman was going to Studio 54 and associating with people from the 1970s New York City art community.

Kaufman attended Manhattan's School of Visual Arts (SVA), where he met contemporary artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat. In 1981 Kaufman met Andy Warhol, who became a significant influence on the 19-year-old Kaufman, who worked as Warhohl's assistant at his studio, The Factory, producing original paintings and silkscreens. Kaufman designed theme parties for various nightclubs, sold his paintings to Calvin Klein and Steve Rubell, and participated in a group art show with pop artist Keith Haring, whom he had met at the SVA.

Kaufman created the graphics for NBC's Saturday Night Live. Kaufman graduated from SVA with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and held art shows in London.

In the late 1980s, Kaufman participated in an AIDS demonstration in order to lock the New York City mayor in his own office, during which he was arrested. Kaufman campaigned for AIDS awareness with art shows featuring 5'x 5' paintings of Trojan condom wrappers. He held a condom art exhibition at Main Fine Art, Edinburgh College of Art, Zanzibar Club and the Smith Gallery.

Leaving Warhol's Factory, Kaufman established his own SAK Studio, hiring homeless New Yorkers to assist him. He painted portraits of three homeless persons for Transportation Display, Inc. that where later shown in 46 cities on bus billboards, helping to raise $4.72 million to benefit the homeless. Kaufman created the first “Racial Harmony” mural in Harlem to raise attention of inner-city problems. He showed at the White Gallery as a tribute to those who died from AIDS. The “Say Without Art” tribute was based on this show. Kaufman also exhibited his works at the Loft Gallery in Tokyo, Japan.

1990s

By the early 1990s, Kaufman's work was highly in demand, but Kaufman wanted to remain in touch with a broad, public audience. He staged a one-man, one-night show. Using 4 New York subway cars, the sides of abandoned buildings and retaining walls, Kaufman created 55 “Racial Harmony” murals with Malcolm X images and appears on Fox TV, MTV and radio stations to promote racial tolerance and harmony. Kaufman presented the Underground Artist of the Year award (1991–92). He painted a portrait of Mickey Mantle to hang in Mantle's restaurant and a portrait of Joe Frazier to raise money for the Police Athletic League. Kaugman created the AIDS Memorial in New York City and covered the letter “D” on the Hollywood sign in red cloth in remembrance of those who have died from AIDS.

In 1993, Kaufman moved his studio to Los Angeles and began painting in a new style he called 'comic book pop art'. He used images of Superman, Batman, Spider-Man and others. To assist him in his studio, Kaufman hired more than 100 ex-gang members released from prison.

In 1995 Kaufman published works for Martin Lawrence Limited Editions, hand-embellishing works including limited editions of Beethoven and Marilyn Monroe. He painted portraits of Muhammad Ali and John Travolta, "who autographed their editions." Becoming the first artist create a bridge between Marvel Comics (Spiderman) and DC Comics (Superman), Kaufman worked with comic book artist and creator Stan Lee. Kaufman, working with parole officers in South Central Los Angeles, hired more than 200 ex-gang-member prison released individuals to assist in the studio and receives an award from Los Angeles Mayor Riordan. According to the Steve Kaufman Museum, Kaufman increased his contributions in 1995 to include 100 different charities.

In 1996 Kaufman approached the Sinatra family to gain permission to paint Frank Sinatra's image. Reportedly, the ailing Sinatra ran his frail hands over the completed paintings and nodded his appreciation, tears in his eyes. Kaufman was requested by Campbell's to paint a limited edition in celebration of Campbell's Soup's 100th anniversary. He paints Muhammad Ali's face on 500 boxing gloves and painted two Harley-Davidson motorcycles, one with a Campbell's Soup theme and one with a Cohiba Cigar theme. Fidel Castro, Cuba's leader, reportedly autographed the gas tank of the Cohiba motorcycle. Kaufman created a Muhammad Ali portrait for the 1996 Olympics. For the first time, Ali signed a limited edition with both his Muslim name (Muhammad Ali) and his given name (Cassius Clay).

From 1997 to 1998 Kaufman's portraits of Frank Sinatra appeared on Larry King Live, and in art shows that Kaufman held in Japan and Amsterdam. He participated in a boxing exhibition against European boxing champion Don Diego and is awarded the win, after some minor controversy. Kaufman painted another Harley-Davidson motorcycle which was now dedicated to the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team. It is driven around Dodger Stadium before each game. At the time, Kaufman has hired 546 ex-gang-members and supports more than 175 charities.

In the late 1990s Kaufman experienced both a cardiac episode and was involved in a motorcycle accident. He released works such as Sinatra's Rat Pack and Mug Shot, Al Pacino as The Godfather and Scarface, New York City radio personality Howard Stern, Barbie, and two new editions of Marilyn Monroe. Other works included portraits of Van Gogh and Picasso in a new, 100% hand-painted edition.

2000s

In 2001 Kauman continued to support more than 170 charities each year and has hired more than 759 ex-gang members to assist at his studio. Kaufman creates two new painting styles, “portrait collage” and “museum art”. Examples of portrait collage include his works Rat Pack, Hollywood Marilyn, Van Gogh and Jackie Kennedy in which he added a collage of images to the main portrait. An example of Kaufman's museum art includes the September 11 Memorial Painting which was a tribute to the heroes of the World Trade Center attacks. Kaufman created a 20 by 500 feet (6.1 m × 152.4 m) series of paintings to commemorate the 35-year history of Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, drawing 10 million visitors in the first 4 months. Kaufman created a 10' Fender guitar for the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame in Ohio. Kaufman showed the Holocaust painting, "Remember", at New York Art Expo, the piece later to be featured on Dateline NBC.

In 2002 Kaufman donated a Princess Diana portrait to the Elton John AIDS Foundation. He started a new program of placing his paintings in public places throughout the U.S. for Americans to enjoy. Kaufman displayed a Muhammad Ali painting at Brooklyn's famous Gleason's Gym, a Sinatra portrait at Hofstra University and a Marilyn Monroe image at the Foundation Fighting Blindness. He gave a painting to David Letterman, who had suffered a heart attack on the same day Kaufman had suffered his, to inspire recovery. Kaufman has exhibitions in New York, Las Vegas and Maui.

In 2003 Kaufman suffered a major stroke following Art Expo, New York. He recovers to show in Las Vegas where he was honored by Mayor Oscar Goodman, the Nevada governor and senator for Steve Kaufman Day on May 31. Kaufman was so honored for his humanitarian efforts. In December, he met President Bill Clinton at his Harlem office held to honor artists whose works Clinton hangs. An imposing figure at 6'7”, often wearing a white suit jacket upon which he'd drawn or painted pop icons, Kaufman once took the jacket off his back and presented it to President Bill Clinton who had it framed and displayed in his office. Kaufman donated art and participated in “Love Ride” with Jay Leno and Peter Fonda for the tenth consecutive year.

In 2004, designed a slower schedule due to his poorer health. He paints and releases President Clinton's portrait. He donates many pieces of art and all proceeds from his sales benefit his “Give Kids a Break” charity. In 2005 Kaufman introduced a new art form – his “Uniques” - which were multiple originals of some of his most iconic paintings (Marilyn Monroe, Albert Einstein, The Beatles, The Rat Pack, Frank Sinatra and others) Kaufman stages exhibits in New York, Las Vegas, Philadelphia and Maui. Kaufman endows 100% of sales proceeds from a $100,000 gallery sale to “Give Kids a Break”. He created a portrait of the Pope to hang in the Pontiff's private office and a Lance Armstrong image displayed in the galleries during the Tour de France. Kaufman painted to raise money to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina and painted the Mercedes SLR McLaren to honor the 100th year anniversary of Mercedes-Benz.

In 2006, his health seemingly improved, Kaufman increased his schedule, showing in New York, Las Vegas, Washington D.C., Vail, Beaver Creek, Aspen, Santa Fe, Rancho Mirage, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Key West and Maui. Kaufman creates “mini-heart paintings” to present as gifts to children who attend his shows and free framed plates for those who purchase. Kaufman returned to creating one-of-a-kind originals to be sold exclusively at shows. Kaufman visited Ellis Island as a guest of Lee Iacocca and meets TV anchor Ernie Anastos whose portrait he paints and presents on the set of FOX News, New York.

In 2007 Kaufman continued an exhausting schedule of shows, presenting peace sign paintings to children who attend his shows and small sculptures to those who purchase. Creates a portrait of David Caruso of CSI Miami fame which Caruso autographs at the studio. Kaufman gives a series of televised interviews to discuss not only his art, but his philanthropy. His most famous icon paintings continue to sell out. Kaufman continued to hire ex-gang youth to assist in his studio. Golden Boy Productions commissions paintings to commemorate the Oscar de la Hoya/Floyd Mayweather, Jr. championship boxing match. In 2008 he unveiled new stained glass “Uniques”, depicting the Las Vegas sign, Homage to Roy Lichtenstein and Homage to Picasso. He continued a heavy schedule of shows.

In 2009, Steve Kaufman's series of Coca-Cola paintings were featured at The Pop Culture Gallery at The World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta, Georgia.

Declining health and death

Kaufman suffered a series of debilitating strokes beginning in 2004, dying of a heart attack in Vail, Colorado, on February 12, 2010, as he prepared for an art show. "If I stop doing shows, I might as well stop living. This is what I live for," Kaufman had once stated. "I had a great life, so please don't cry for me. I've had the life of 100 men," he wrote.

His art

Kaufman's works often featured the faces of artists, musicians, actors and athletes, stemming from his fascination with the impact celebrity has on contemporary culture. DC and Marvel characters reflect his early dream of being a comic book creator. He was intrigued by images, including those of iconic American products, that caused an immediate response of recognition and considered himself an artistic journalist commenting on both history and current events. His use of a wide range of colors and hand embellishment made his works fairly recognizable.

"As Warhol's assistant, I learned to silkscreen with oils that will last forever. That's the same process I use today. Andy Warhol never did glicees. Neither will I." said Kaufman. Glicee is a method of making fine art digital prints with an ink jet printer.

Kaufman utilized many different art forms, creating some new ones, and relentlessly explored different forms of media upon which to create.

Following a series of major health problems, Kaufman discovered in himself a new freedom: "I dove into my art like never before. I gave up wondering what other artists might be working on. I walked into my studio and asked myself what I would like to create today."

Honors and museums

Since his death, Steve Kaufman’s artwork has appeared in several television programs, art tourism hotels, and a number of international exhibitions including:

His subjects and collectors

Among Kaufman's more recognizable images were Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, the Beatles, Elvis Presley, B.B. King, Sammy Davis Jr., Al Pacino, Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay), President Barack Obama, Jay Leno, John Travolta, mobster John Gotti, Beethoven, Napoleon and such icons of Americana as the $100 bill, Coca-Cola images and Campbell's Soups art.