In the late 60s, the Summer of Love gave way to Vietnam War protests as the Manson Family cruised through the Hollywood Hills and Timothy Leary helped turn on a generation. Tom Passaic was making art in the middle of all this…that weird cat in college who was part undiagnosed schizophrenic, part acid casualty. It seems his demons are similar to that of Daniel Johnston, based on the often-manic content manifest in his drawings. There’s earnest socio-political content, however, due to the difficulty in deciphering his ramblings, the message is never readily apparent. It intrigues, nonetheless. As he created the comic strip content intended to unite the races in his eco-cult, his consciousness soared with either doctor’s or dealer’s assistance, akin to automatic drawing/writing. There is something beautiful and heavy going on in his artwork, only Tom’s no longer around to guide us through it. Was he institutionalized? Did he save the world? We only have these fascinating scraps with which to explore his insanity. This is about as OUTSIDER as you get, folks.

"When KC Crack City"
by Tom Passaic
24"x18"
ink & marker on paper
$50.00