The Illustrious

December 5, 2015 / Pietrasanta, Italy — American Pop Art, Inc. and Steve Kaufman Art Licensing LLC are proud to announce the exhibition, “De Viris Illustribus et de Claris Mulieribus—The Illustrious Men and Women of Fame,” from December 5, 2015 through January 6, 2016 at Total Art Gallery, Pietrasanta – Via b.p. Barsanti, 34, Italy. An opening celebration was held on Saturday, December 5 at 7:00 p.m.

“The Illustrious Men and Women of Fame,” is dedicated to icons of the 20th century and reinterpreted by contemporary authors. It is presented by Total Art Gallery in collaboration with Barbara Frigerio Contemporary Art, and organized by Diana Vachier and Alberto Panizzoli of Steve Kaufman Art Licensing LLC.

Actors, actresses, singers, painters, and notable personalities helped to shape the history of the last century. They have become veritable icons recognizable by appearance—their faces immortalized countless times by photographers and directors of their era, and continue to influence and enthrall even the artists of today.

In chronological order we begin with Steve Kaufman, a student of Andy Warhol and one of the last great exponents of Pop Art who immortalized on canvas all the most famous people of the past century and more, from Marilyn to Elvis, from the Beatles to Mao. Unlike his teacher, Kaufman tried to show the public new images that were more intimate of the individual personality, always enclosing a world of color, and ever confirming his passion for art and expression by painting the joy of living.

The black and white, however, is the protagonist of the paintings of Eric Serafini, which feature the stars and characters of yesteryears, sophisticated and refined, and their films of the past. Movie lover and artist Paolo Schmidlin, in sophisticated sculptures, likes to portray his idols and actresses and their faults. Fascinated by the effects of time on the body, he immortalizes the stars now on Sunset Boulevard as they try in vain to hide the inevitable signs of time. Maurizio Buttons Warhol chose to star in one of his paintings: a sardonic glance at fame once had in life and wondering if it will survive oblivion. Also featured will be the work of Kim Yongjin, a Korean artist who recreates famous faces using only wire, a material also used by Gavin Worth for his sculptures, suggestive ‘”drawings” created in space and rich in poetry.

For more information about “De Viris Illustribus et de Claris Mulieribus—The Illustrious Men and Women of Fame,” and exhibit hours, please visit http://arte-totale.it or call 011-39-058470185.