Pop goes the artist
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VAIL – It might be easy to write off pop artist Steve Kaufman as superficial: He creates neon-bright homages to the icons of the past and present – movie stars, sports champions and even comic book heroes leap from his paintings in quintessential poses. But behind his commentary on pop culture lies good intentions and a heart of gold. For the duration of his solo career, Kaufman has consistently employed the unemployable, giving homeless people, former prisoners and others cast into society’s margins a leg up in an unlikely arena. On the eve of his return for a holiday Vail Valley show at the Master’s Gallery, Kaufman took a few moments to share his thoughts on inspiration, creation and giving breaks to those who need it.Vail Daily: When and how did you know you were destined to be a professional artist? Was there an “a-ha!” moment, or did you always know? Steve Kaufman: I had my first show when I was 8 in the Bronx – it was Jewish Holocaust stuff for our local bank sponsored by our local bank. I was actually being paid by a sponsor! I was painting broken windshields at 12. If someone said to me, ‘ooh! this is art,’ maybe it would’ve intimidated me, but I was just having fun painting, doing things like Superman, which I would revisit later. When I met Andy Warhol, I didn’t even know who he was. When I saw a Picasso show, all I remember was talking to this older guy about art. I didn’t know it was him.
VD: How did you start hiring ex-cons to help you out?SK: I used to hire the homeless to help me in NYC – they were much more difficult than parolees. You know, some would show up totally wasted, whereas my former inmates have to stay clean for their parole officers. When I moved out to LA, I started hiring kids from prison. They build frames, pack, ship and pretty much help me run the whole business. I had kids who are now fathers, and their kids work for me. One girl who makes my MySpace page has a little sister, and she’s saying she’ll be here in a few years.VD: What makes you hire them, especially when no one else will?SK: It’s important to give kids a break. I was one of those kids growing up in the Bronx. I desperately needed that one shot. Most people don’t understand, other people can’t get a job at McDonald’s when they have criminal records. They need that first reference. This way, they can use me. We have another kid we just hired, he’s been incarcerated for eight years of life. We get kids like that all the time. We’re like their first real job.
VD: When you hire these kids, do you find yourself in the position of being the guardian or the authority figure they never had?SK: I catch myself all the time talking about condoms or drugs. We’ve had over 1,400 kids, and we don’t get any money from special interests – it all comes out of my own pocket. So, yeah, I take responsibility sometimes. VD: How many do you employ right now?SK: About 40 or 50. It fluctuates; sometimes they disappear, and then suddenly they all show up, especially around the holidays or when they need money. A couple have stayed for 20 years – I call them the OG’s. I was telling some of them the other day about making wooden frames the same way I was taught, with the craftsmanship from 30 years ago. I told them, ‘I was doing this before you were sperm.’ I’m 6’6, so sometimes I’ll challenge them to a basketball game. If I win, I get their paycheck, and if they win, they get mine. The only condition is that it’s New York rules – which means there are no rules. I’ve lost a couple of times, but working with (those kids) is so amazing – and never boring.VD: How do you select which icons to paint?
SK: I think of all those people I’ve met who inspire awe – like Frank Sinatra or Muhammad Ali or Bruce Lee. Bruce Lee told me to have peace of mind and respect of body – I’ll always remember that. Oscar de la Hoya, a friend of mine, brought me back into the realm of boxing. I did some paintings of Britney Spears before she got married, but now I wouldn’t think of it. At 25, she suddenly stopped being a role model and it’s suddenly a different world. She kind of went left. Sometimes the inspiration comes from elsewhere. I’ve been buying electric guitars lately and painting them to match the greats, like Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix or Aerosmith – I really want to take their imagery to the next level. Sometimes, it takes time. Will Justin Timberlake be the next Sinatra? It’s too early to tell. But then I see what P. Diddy does, both for the music industry and charity work, and I say ‘maybe it’s time.’ I like doing people who reach out to help others. Lindsay Lohan’s more famous for getting stoned than any of her work. If that’s the case, half the world should be more famous.VD: You plan to give an original for free to kids when they come to your shows. Where did you get that idea?SK: I think it’s a great way for kids to start their art collection. Can you imagine if you got to meet Picasso or Andy Warhol and they gave you something? You’d be so stoked. That kid will smile all day long. They’ll have that first painting in their bedroom – mom and dad can’t take it from them. A 7-year old saw my colorful homage to Picasso’s (Guernica), and his mom said, ‘that’s a Picasso.’ And the little kid goes, ‘no that’s Steve Kaufman – he’s helping Picasso out.’ This little kid understood I just wanted to give Picasso some color. He understood I was paying homage to the great masters.VD: So over the course of your career, why did you choose to focus on pop art?SK: I don’t look at it like that – I just have fun. From motorcycles to cars to jets, I just like doing something different. I have a good time. I started as an assistant, now I’m doing large originals, and people are just loving them. I had a stroke a few years ago, and the prices on my work went way up. When I got healthier, they went back down a bit. It’s the only career you can possibly have after you die.
==========The King of Pop … ArtWhat: “King of Pop Art” Steve Kaufman visits the Vail Valley.Where: Masters Gallery in the Vail Village.When: From 2-8 p.m. Wednesday and ThursdayBring the kids: During show hours, Kaufman will present an original complimentary painting, created and signed by the artist, to each child accompanied by a parent.
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==========Arts & Entertainment writer Ted Alvarez can be reached at 748-2939 or talvarez@vaildaily.com.Vail Daily, Vail, Colorado
