Back in 1997 I had the privilege of being included in the Ozone Gallery roster of artists under the curation of Robert Ellis Patterson. "Bobby" was notorious for throwing some of the most well attended (and attractive) art openings in the city.
Ozone was located in a no-man's between Soho and Little Italy. Being just off the beaten path meant that the gallery was receptive to outsider artists of all kinds. East-Village punkers, Soho Eurotrash, oddball cartoonists, skateboard and graffiti artists, rockstar photographers and wackos of all kinds were well represented.
When Bobby gravitated back to Austin, Texas he, once again invited me to show my stuff and he put on a stellar party and show. For my accomodations during my stay in Austin, I was offered a flimsy air mattress to sleep on the floor of the gallery. But he later felt guilty and inisisted that he sleep on it instead of me. That's the kind of good-hearted character he was!
Besides his quick wit and a sarcastic sense of humor he had a genuine affection for people and a Warholian personality that attracted wildly different types to his circle. As one of the more dynamic and open guys that one would meet in this world, it's unfortunate that he left us so early.
