ɪn nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd ˈeɪɾi ˈeɪt, ɪnspˈaɪɚɹɪŋ ɛkstˈɛnsɪv ˌɪntɚnˈæʃənəl pɹˈɛs kˈʌvɚɹɪdʒ, hiː fˈaʊndᵻd kəstˈɑːbi wˈɜːld, hɪz lˈɑːɹdʒ nˈuː jˈɔːɹk stˈuːdɪˌoʊ nˈoʊn fɔːɹ ˈoʊpənli ɛmplˈɔɪɪŋ nˈuːmɚɹəs pˈeɪntɪŋ ɐsˈɪstənts ænd aɪdˈiə pˈiːpəl.
In 1988, inspiring extensive international press coverage, he founded Kostabi World, his large New York studio known for openly employing numerous painting assistants and idea people.