Steve Kaufman's Biography

Artist Steve Kaufman was born in the Bronx, New York, in 1960. From his first art show at the age of eight to the Olympics with Muhammad Ali, CNN with Sinatra, Woodstock, The Oscars, a President's portrait; Kaufman, former assistant to Andy Warhol, has become the "Prince of Pop Art". Featured on Fox TV, MTV, winner of the Underground Artist of the Year, Kaufman's artwork hangs in the White House, the Smithsonian, in over 600 galleries across the United States, 16 galleries in Japan and 22 galleries in Europe.

An artist with compassion as well as passion, Kaufman has always combined his art with philanthropy. To date, Kaufman supports over 170 charities per year and has hired over 1,975 LA ex-gang members and LA homeless men to work for him at his art studio. In addition, Kaufman initiated a program to place his art in public places so individuals can enjoy his art as much as private collectors. In this program, for example, a portrait of Muhammad Ali hangs in Brooklyn's famous Gleason's Boxing Gym and a portrait of Frank Sinatra is on display at Hofstra University, NY.

In 2003, Kaufman's life in the fast lane caught up with him and he had a debilitating stroke. But, rather than slowing him down, Kaufman recovered with a renewed zest for life. Losing 75 lbs., walking 5 miles a day, starting a non-profit charity Give Kids a Break, and producing art with a fresh burst of creativity and vision became his passions. In 2005 Kaufman created paintings to help raise money for Hurricane Katrina victims and started painting on motorcycles, sculptures, cars painting "on anything other than canvas, I just wanted to create art".

More recently, Kaufman has tirelessly continued on his charitable quest, has had five European art exhibitions, a Canadian show that sold out in one night, and gave 200 of his paintings as Christmas gifts to such renowned persons as Mick Jagger, Warren Buffett, Shaquille O'Neal, Ringo Starr, et al.

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS:
1968 Child Show at a Bronx bank at age 8
1976 Group Graffiti Show Whitney Museum, New York City
1983-84 Sex & Rock & Roll Show Off Centre Gallery, LondonMoney Commonwealth Gallery, London Red, White & Blue Kelley Gallery, London
1996 16 Exhibitions in Japan (All were sold out.)
2002 One Man Show Studio 54, New York City
2002 22 Weekly Art Shows Paris Casino
2006 4 Exhibitions Vail & Beaver Creek, Colorado
2007 5 European Exhibitions London, Ireland, Basel, Zurich & Germany