The Steve Keene Art Book
In an art world that ranks/rates artists based on how much their work fetched at auction, one beloved New York painter has become a legend — selling his works for 30 years at $5 or $10 a painting.
No one in America is protected from runaway inflation, everyone is trimming back wherever they can, so how can Steve Keene afford to keep his art....affordable? In this shitty economy when people can’t afford food these days, who can afford a Christie's auction?
It’s a question that’s piqued the interest of The NY Times, The New Yorker and Rolling Stone. PDF Press Kit here. With the publication of The Steve Keene Art Book(out now via Hat & Beard/Tractor Beam), the first monograph of his paintings, Keene’s ethos of keeping art accessible for everyone is nothing less than revolutionary.
The idea of being mass produced is uniquely American (McDonald’s, Coca Cola). Is there any other artist who represents the American ethos or working class more than Steve Keene?
In our world where all systems are breaking down, SK's revolutionary punk rock ethos of making and selling affordable art (6 pieces for $70 from his website) in massive volume (he's created 50+ pieces / day for 30 years; over 300,000+ pieces by only his own hands) is about a different value system, one that values utility of art rather than its dollar value. He's not only created and distributed an obscene amount of affordable art in this unique way, he has brought joy to many thousands of lives – cheap!
2022 brought his first art nook (now out); two 30-Year Retrospectives in LA and NYC; and with the earned respect over the years with musicians like Pavement, Cat Power and Shepard Fairey; it’s time to discuss the why he does what he does and flies in the face of the traditional art marketplace and how he has become a phenomenon without institutional support.
“He’s like a folk hero Warhol.” - Shepard Fairey
Insight from accomplished contemporary artist and Keene admirer Ryan McGinness as quoted from his essay in The Steve Keene Art Book: “His price point reflects his philosophy. There is no barrier to entry. Art for everyone. “Democratizing fine art” is a phrase often thrown around with virtuous pride by artists and art-market facilitators. This righteousness is fueled by the belief that art is expensive and therefore only for the “elite.” However, there is plenty of inexpensive art. Just go to any thrift store or flea market. The problem is, nobody desires art until it has been assigned a premium value by the art market. The solution to broadening the art audience is often the creation of secondary works that support the prima facie works that exist as insurance and assurance. Prints, multiples, posters and other such price-point spectrum extenders are safe ways to “democratize fine art.” Buying art outside the art market requires critical thinking skills to determine if the work resonates with you based on your own values, independent of external input. This is what sets Keene collectors apart from other art collectors. And the fact that Steve keeps his prices at $5 to $20 per painting sets him apart from other artists. Keene is the real deal when it comes to ensuring his work is accessible.”
“...a churning waterfall of creation.” - Stephen Malkmus, Pavement
