You must have noticed the new bus campaign to help the
homeless.
The campaign has three portraits on the billboards of
buses in 46 states. The portraits were done in Warhol style, a style that was
meant for the rich and famous.
The legend continues with a twist. Just when you thought
the dramatic pop culture silkscreen portraits of famous people had disappeared;
it has been resurrected using NYC buses as their canvas.
The story starts with Bill Appfelbaum of T.D.I.
advertising agency, who spotted a classified ad that appeared in Seven Days
magazine. "Warhol portrait of yourself, your fifteen minutes of
fame." But wait a moment, didn't Warhol die February 1987? The ad
continues "NYC artist who worked with Warhol will silkscreen your
portrait, Warhol-Style." Mr. Appfelbaum contacted the artist and
approached him to help aid the homeless using the artist's talent and his
well-known pop art style to get the general public recognition.
Kaufman proceeded to help in the homeless campaign. He
searched NYC soup lines, shelters and Port Authority to find his subjects. The
campaign will be seen in 46 cities on the billboards of buses and will raise
the consciousness of people to help the homeless.
But you can help! With every phone call to
1-900-Can-U-Give, you will contribute a two-dollar donation to the homeless.
Steve Kaufman has captured the imagination of Warhol art fans and aroused
attention of the art world.
Kaufman worked for Warhol before finishing college. He
left Warhol's famous Factory in 1982. Kaufman went to Europe where he had
showings in the Air Gallery, Off Center Gallery, Kelley Gallery, and Edinburgh
College of Art before returning to the USA.
Kaufman feels a sense of social obligation. He is working
on doing Eddie Murphy's portrait and will donate the proceeds to Hale House. He
plans to create a series of three hundred Eddie Murphy portraits to sell them
off to benefit Hale House. "I’m labeled the bad boy of art, who is doing
good like Robin Hood," said Kaufman.
Kaufman's recent travels include trips to Beverly Hills,
CA, Germany, Switzerland and Tokyo, Japan where he had highly successful
exhibition. His new fame has led to a new show in Tokyo in honor of Andy
Warhol's birthday. "I don't want to say I’m better than the Warhol
style," Kaufman said but he would agree to Warhol-Plus.
"Life is funny that way. Doesn't it imitate art, or
the other way around?" said Kaufman.
