Saholt 7 Large

chaotic collage of familiar and unfamiliar face

Richard Saholt describes his work as 'psychotic art.' Manifested in his meticulous collages are horrifying images of death, war, alcoholism, homelessness, depression, mental illness, all of which haunt him daily. Richard was diagnosed with chronic paranoid schizophrenia. He has been working relentlessly on his collages for the past 25 years telling the story of his life. "I put everything in my artwork. You can read me like a book. It's all there," explains Saholt. "I don't let it devastate me like it used to."

As a young man, Saholt served in the 10th Mountain Alpine Ski Troop Division of the U.S. Army during World War II from 1942 - 1945. After five months in combat, he received an honorable discharge and returned home to Minneapolis shell-shocked, suffering from dizziness, a nervous stomach and frequent blackouts. In 1964 the Veteran's administration told Saholt to express his story on paper, and this was the beginning of his art career.

Saholt now lives with his wife in Minneapolis. His speech has greatly improved through voice training and yoga, and he is now able to articulate his life and work. "All my life I have been living on the edge," he says. "I'm still living on the edge. You've got to fight schizophrenia all the time. My art has helped me feel better about myself."

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