Joe McHugh is originally from the east coast. Before moving to Mill Valley, California in 1966, he attended Lehigh University and Rhode Island School of Design. Upon moving to California with his wife Irene, he started a poster and card company called East Totem West.
East Totem West flourished within the late sixties and early seventies during the San Francisco psychedelic revolution. The company produced the work of an exclusive group of California artists who specialized in psychedelic art. A significant body of work was produced from the years 1967 through 1973 and East Totem West was recognized as an important contributor to the psychedelic world. Since then the work of East Totem West has appeared in various books, movies and museums.
Soon after the peak of the psychedelic era, Joe sold the company to pursue his own art on a full time basis. For the years following, Joe immersed himself into the world of his painting, photography and collage. He also spent time putting together various art/poetry books for publisher Celestial Arts (Berkeley, CA).
Presently, McHugh is involved in a couple of projects in honor of East Totem West. He is working with Pomegranate Press on a book that showcases and puts a nineties perspective on the life and times of East Totem West. And for the first time in vintage works on the market. Each poster has been appraised and their values range from one to five thousand dollars. The posters available range from the classic "White Rabbit" and "Cheshire Cat" designs to unique overprints that have never been available to the general public until now! If you would like more information about what is available, please send inquires to: East Totem West, Box 6099, Rohnert Park, CA 94927 or call Jason McHugh at (303)786-7568.
