From the Shadow of Warhol -
We have all heard of Studio 54 in New York City. Imagine being 16 years old and designing the wild theme parties that would become legendary or meeting Andy Warhol and becoming his assistant at The Factory. If that is not enough, perhaps becoming friends with Keith Haring and doing shows together at the School of Visual arts and Club 57. This is Steve Kaufman's journey before he turned the age of twenty.
While working at The Factory, Andy Warhol gave Steve the nickname of “SAK” and this became his signature that you will find on the backside of his paintings.
“One of the things that I love about Steve is that he was always giving back to the community. He championed AIDS Awareness, hired the homeless for his New York studio, completed 55 Racial Harmony murals, hired more than 100 ex-gang members in his Los Angeles studio and this is just a partial list.”
- Johnny Blanco
Kaufman’s work continued in the style that he learned working for Andy Warhol, while he preferred to Silkscreen on oil paint so that his artworks could last forever. Among Kaufman's more recognizable images were Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, 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 artwork for the Campbell Soup Company.
"Mug Shot" in Gray
Steve Kaufman, SAK.
Original Oil Painting on Screenprint Canvas
On My Wall
“Campbell's Soup Trio”
by Steve Kaufman, SAK
Original Oil Painting on Screenprint Canvas
"This is what I live for, I have had a great life, so please don't cry for me. I've had the life of 100 men,”
- Steve Kaufman
Steve Alan Kaufman passed away in Vail Colorado in 2010 as he prepared for a show, doing what he loved.
If you would like to acquire a SAK artwork or learn more about Steve Kaufman please click the link below.
I consider Diana Vachier to be the upmost expert on Kaufman.
Click the link below to purchase the Steve Kaufman aka SAK Catalogue Raisonné