Paul Waldman, Surrealist Artist and Creator of Art Museum for Birds, Dies at 89

Paul Waldman died on March 22 in Manhattan at age 89. His death resulted from complications following a fall, according to his wife, art historian Diane Waldman. Waldman was known for provocative, surreal works that included erotic paintings and sculptures featuring dwarves, hermaphrodites, winged putti, and human-beast hybrids. He created an art museum for birds with himself as Chairman of the Nest. Championed by renowned art dealer Leo Castelli, whose gallery represented artists like Jasper Johns, Frank Stella, and Roy Lichtenstein, Waldman's career began after he abandoned bodybuilding. One notable series consisted of 13 paintings depicting portions of breasts, buttocks, and armpits against monochromatic fields. Works such as "Almost Named After Cheryl" (1977) and "Alice Is Getting Tired" (1980) exemplified his enigmatic style. Waldman, described as a New York character of cinematic scale, is survived only by his wife.