Renowned faces and classic logos are
vitalized in electrifying hues. Crisp color blocks are broken
with swaths of liquid intensity. Comic book characters weep
and worry, leap and conquer. The viewer is part of a continuum
of activity, preceding and succeeding a particular moment captured
on canvas. The extent of Kaufman's ability to interpret popular
culture is unquestionably impressive.
Reflecting his early dream of being
a comic book creator, familiar characters, such a Superman,
play a significant role in Kaufman's art. While works focusing
on the well known images of Marvel and DC Comics answer our
wish for super-human rescue from the demands of daily life,
Kaufman's canvases of newly created participants in a "Mary
Worth" world mock society's superficiality in a world where
all is askew.
Beyond comic book characters, however,
are the famous and infamous……figures of legendary
repute. The tremendous influence of Beethoven or Napoleon so
surpasses the bounds of their individual lives that these mere
mortals are gifted with a form of super human existence even
greater than that of the comic book heroes. "In selecting
these figures, I'm giving long overdue credit to their importance,
"states Kaufman. It is the impact of the individual upon
society that catches the imagination of Kaufman, resulting in
art of great scope and drama.
To deliver his perspectives, Kaufman
has refined the silk-screening process, allowing for greater
fluidity and definition in expression. Returning to the silkscreen
canvas to add hand-painted touches, Kaufman's unique works reflect
his changing thoughts and perspectives during the creative process.
According to Kaufman, "I try to catch the spirit of the
individual I've depicted. When working on the Beethoven's music
and strive to essentially become Beethoven. "Each work
is individual and truly captures the emotions of the creator.
Inventive by nature, Kaufman has always
been intrigued with the unusual application and interpretation
of the ordinary. It was the combination of inventiveness with
tremendous artistic talent that actually led Kaufman to create
works which would result in his first exhibition. An architect
acquaintance showed Kaufman how to project images on the surfaces.
Kaufman collected rounds of wood from trees cut down in the
neighborhood then projected his grandfather's pictures of the
Holocaust on them, using the tree rings to symbolize the tragic
span of years. Kaufman's debut exhibition opened at a Bronx
bank and the Holocaust series was subsequently donated to the
Jewish Holocaust series was subsequently donated to the Jewish
Holocaust Museum of the art in Brooklyn.
By the age of 12, Kaufman was working
at Macy's painting dog and cat faces on customers Pet Rocks.
In 1976, then just 16, Kaufman was part of a group show at New
York 's prestigious Whitney Museum. Having developed a highly
respected reputation for this technical ability, Kaufman was
offered and opportunity to work with Andy Warhol cutting the
film for canvas screening, a job which afforded him an opportunity
to gain a different perspective on the world of art. Using his
wages, plus those he earned by working in two galleries, Kaufman
made ends meet while attending the School of Visual Arts on
a full scholarship.
Leaving the Warhol Studio to commit
himself fully to his own creative expression, Kaufman sought
innovative opportunities to bring his are to the general public.
Even though demand for his work was growing daily, Kaufman wanted
to remain in touch with a broad audience. Inspired by the accessibility,
Kaufman opened a one night exhibition on four New York subway
cars. Using the sides of abandoned buildings, retaining walls,
and other highly visible surface as his canvas, Kaufman completed
55 "Racial Harmony" murals in New York and made numerous
media appearances to promote understanding and tolerance.
Recent years have yielded many gallery
shows and a burgeoning list of collectors eager to acquire Kaufman's
work. Corporations, such as Citibank, Saatchi and Saatchi as
well as personalities, including Mickey Mantle, Wolfgang Puck
and Spike Lee, have acquired works by Steve Kaufman.
Driven to create, Kaufman considers
himself a workaholic, often rising before dawn and retiring
in the early hours of the day. From dreams, Kaufman frequently
derives art; as quickly as a thought flashes through his mind,
Kaufman visualizes art and then acts to make the image a reality.
Very focused, Kaufman states, "I usually have a clear vision
a clear vision of the art I'm creating and don't do studies
or drawings in advance. Any changes I make, I do as I cut the
film at my light table."
Kaufman enjoys knowing his audience
becomes integrally involved with his art. "I see one thing
when I view my finished work, and you may see something else…..that's
OK,
The meaning of any work of art should
be personal and not the result of my telling you what I want
it to mean. I always want to encourage questioning. I do not
believe there are absolutes – one should always evaluate.
Even though Kaufman is committed to
his artistic endeavors, he is also tremendously involved in
efforts to assist those in need. Independently creating and
financially participating in campaigns promoting such themes
as AIDS awareness and racial harmony, Kaufman is not just an
artist, he is a philanthropist.
States Kaufman, "In the future,
I hope I can make a difference in the world, not just artistically,
but in a broader sense. I hope that when I speak out regarding
a cause that it carries clout. I hope that I've helped people
and changed points of view because of my position. I'd like
to think that even thought I'm able to expand my artistic abilities
to include film making, monuments, etc. that I still can prompt
a smile and the acknowledgment that I'm a nice guy.
