Tony Shafrazi

I went uptown, saw Leo [Castelli], the Jasper Johns show. There are four paintings in that room. I walk into the room, I have a spray can in the pocket of my leather jacket. I look at those paintings. Right away, I have thoughts in my head, and I say: “Truth, Honor, Power, Glory.” These are the words that come to my mind. Leo comes out and I say: “Leo, I’m here,” and of course he knows the Guernica story, and I say: “Leo, I’m here, I see these wonderful paintings of Jasper, and I have in mind to write four words, one on each painting.” He says: “Tony, that’s very interesting, but really? Well, I would like to talk to you further about that. Let me just finish what I’m doing, and I’ll go downtown with you, because I want to give you complete attention, so we can talk together.” I said: “Leo, but I want to write these words.” “Yes, just give me a few minutes to finish what I am doing now.” He turns around, goes into his office, and leaves me alone in the gallery. I am in the middle of the room; he is gone maybe for five minutes, four and a half, five minutes at least. And I wait, and I don’t do anything.

— Tony Shafrazi, LEO AND HIS CIRCLE, by Annie Cohen-Solal