Eddie Owens Martin (1908–1986)
238 Eddie Martin Rd, Buena Vista, GA 31803
706-507-8306
ABOUT
Pasaquan is a 7-acre art environment located just outside of Buena Vista, Georgia, created by self-taught artist Eddie Owens Martin, also known as St. EOM. A visit to Pasaquan is an immersive, surreal experience, transporting visitors to a mock pre-Columbian psychedelic Wonderland.
The landscape, adorned with ornate sculptures and gardens, blends African, Native American, and Eastern religious influences, reflecting St. EOM‘s unique vision. The main house, adorned with vibrant murals and intricate hammered steel patterns, stands as the focal point.
Inside the buildings, you’ll find a vast collection of art, including paintings, sculptures, and decorative objects. These works reflect St. EOM‘s deep spiritual and mystical beliefs. As you stroll through the site, you’ll encounter a sense of wonder and inspiration, making Pasaquan an unforgettable and enriching experience for art enthusiasts and curious visitors.
SPECIAL RESOURCES
“Here I can be in my own world with my temples and designs, and the spirit of God.”
— St. EOM speaking with Tom Patterson
Eddie Owens Martin (1908–1986)
Eddie Owens Martin, also known as St. EOM, was a self-taught artist and visionary creator of Pasaquan. Born in 1908 in Marion County, Georgia, he had a turbulent early life, which included a stint as a fortune teller and a hustler in New York City.
In the 1930s, Martin underwent a profound transformation, adopting the persona of St. EOM and in 1956 he began the ambitious project of constructing Pasaquan. He blended a rich tapestry of influences, including African, Native American, and Eastern spirituality, to craft a spiritual oasis. Pasaquan became his life’s work, a sanctuary of vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and symbolism.
St. EOM’s art was deeply rooted in a personal spiritual journey, and he saw himself as a “Pasaquoyan,” creating his own religion centered around his art. His remarkable vision, dedication, and self-expression left an indelible mark on the world of outsider art. St. EOM passed away in 1986, leaving Pasaquan as a testament to his unique creative genius.
LEARN MORE
Eddie Owens Martin was born on July 4, 1908, in rural southwest Georgia to sharecropper parents. He always felt out of place among the “God-fearing” citizens of Glen Alta. At the age of fourteen, he decided to embark on a life of adventure far removed from the conservative values of the South. Hitchhiking his way to New York City during the roaring ’20s, Eddie supported himself through various jobs, such as hustling, fortune telling, and working as a waiter in a gay nightclub. In his free time, he immersed himself in the cultural offerings of the city, visiting museums, galleries, and libraries, while also enjoying the company of drag queens, drug dealers, and other colorful characters in the underground scene.
In 1935, during a high fever, Eddie had a life-altering vision. A futuristic, gender-fluid being appeared to him, urging him to change his ways and follow the path of Pasaquoyanism, a new religion. Eddie embraced this calling, changed his name to St. EOM (pronounced “ohm”), and became the world’s first and only known Pasaquoyan. In 1956, the Pasaquoyans returned to St. EOM in a vision and instructed him to return to his recently deceased mother’s farm. There, he worked as a fortune teller and card reader and began his final and most significant project: Pasaquan. For the last three decades of his life, St. EOM dedicated himself to creating this exceptional art environment.
Pasaquan is often described as a “Mock-Precolumbian Psychedelic Wonderland.” It features a thousand feet of decorated cement walls, pagodas, a kiva, vibrantly colored totem poles, and a main building with a large oratory. The design of Pasaquan combines elements from pre-Columbian Mexican, African, Native American cultures, and other religious symbols, influenced by Edward Churchward’s book The Lost Continent of MU. Today, Pasaquan is recognized as one of the most significant art environments in the United States and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
In 2016, Columbus State University became the steward of Pasaquan following a multi-million-dollar restoration by the Kohler Foundation. CSU’s primary mission is to preserve, maintain, provide access to, and assist in the interpretation of Pasaquan. The university aims to offer visitors a unique understanding of St. EOM’s artistic process by engaging them through a variety of programs, workshops, lectures, retreats, and performances. Through the Resident Artist Program, CSU supports artists in creating new works inspired by St. EOM’s vision.
IN COLLABORATION WITH THE NATIONAL TRUST
Telling the American Story
Columbus State University Keeps Eddie Owens Martin’s Artistic Fantasy Alive at Pasaquan
