Steve Kaufman

Steven Alan Kaufman (also known as Steve Kaufman, December 29, 1960 – February 12, 2010) was an American pop artist, fine artist, sculptor, stained glass artist, filmmaker, photographer and humanitarian.

His entry into the world of serious pop art began in his teens when he became an assistant to Andy Warhol at The Factory studio, who nicknamed him "SAK".

Kaufman eventually executed such pieces as a 144-foot-long canvas which later toured the country.

Steve Kaufman was born in 1960 in the Bronx, New York.

Kaufman was 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 ever get bored. I was taught that canvas is not the only thing to paint on."

At the age of eight, he was sponsored by a Jewish temple in the Bronx, and held his first one-man art show at a Bronx bank, presenting images that were later donated to the Museum of Jewish Heritage.

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).

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

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.

In 1981 Kaufman met Andy Warhol, who became a significant influence on the 19-year-old Kaufman, who worked as Warhol's assistant at his studio, The Factory, producing original paintings and silkscreens.

"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 giclées. Neither will I."

said Kaufman.

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.

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.

Kaufman 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 had died of 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.