Protest Art for the Colab Raleigh
I made these protest signs for the July show at the Colab Gallery in Raleigh. The theme for this month is "Protest Art". Over the past few years, I've made several signs for protests rallies. I made one that reads, "Amigo=Friend, Trump=Pendejo". I made two more for the Haitian and Syrian immigrants affected by Trump's termination of TPS (Temporary Protected Status).
"TPS" are temporary humanitarian protections that allow Haitian, Syrian, and other immigrants to remain in the United States because conditions in their countries are deemed too dangerous for them to return.
A June 25, 2026, Supreme Court ruling, sided with Trump and is expected to affect approximately 1.3 million immigrants from 17 countries who hold what is known as temporary protected status, or TPS.
In Spanish a “Pendejo” is an asshole, idiot, or dumbass.
In Haitian culture a “Bourik” is an idiot or a jerk.
In Syria a “Haqeer” is a mean-despicable lowlife.
These signs are $100 each.
I can also make custom signs or help you make your own if you promise to take it to a protest rally.
DM me on Instagram:
Protest Art Show
For July’s First Friday The Colab Raleigh will be showing protest-inspired art by local artists.
Opening, July 3, 6-11pm
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Protests Near Us
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Protests Near Us
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Protests Near Us!
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Protests Near Us
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Bio
Tom Forsythe, AKA Sleepy Tom, Blues and roots singer/songwriter/guitarist. Designer/Owner, Archetype Graphic Design & Writing Services and SmallDogLaughing.
I've been living and playing music in the Triangle for over 30 years. I play mostly blues along with a few originals and covers by artists like Tom Waits and Bob Dylan. Over the years, I have played with blues artists, Big Boy Henry and New Orleans street singer, Slewfoot. I have also recorded with monster guitarist & multi-instrumentalist, Kirk Charles Heydt, AKA Tin Whiskers.
I perform solo as a one-man band. For some of the electric Chicago-style blues, I add drums using a floor tom and snare with foot pedals.
Sleepy Tom Live Recordings
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I made this art when Trump was elected the first time in 2017. It's been hanging on the wall in my house ever since.
The Gist of this Art
The stars in the lower right suggest an upside-down US flag. The U.S. flag code, which is not legally enforceable, says explicitly that the flag is not to be inverted “except as a signal of dire distress in an instance of extreme danger to life or property.” We're currently in a real instance of dire distress.
Another common distress signal is an orange flag with a black square and a black ball. It can be used as an alternative distress signal when other methods fail.
The gold tinfoil coin is a chocolate candy wrapper. The chocolate wasn't very good but the wrapper worked for this project.
The torn newsprint in the background is the May 2017 cover article that the Indy Week ran when NC Senator Richard Burr sided with Trump and said that "He wont let the Trump-Russia investigation turn into a which hunt."
This is my second version of this piece. My first version was used for the CD cover design that I did for Tin Whiskers 2017 album "Plans for a Gong".
Sleepy Music Vids
If I had gotten my shit together 30 years ago maybe I coulda been the next big nothin'. I'm glad I didn't bother.
You can follow me, just not too close.
LOCAL OBSCURITIES
A collection of my original songs that almost no one has ever listened to.
I record everything at home. I do the vocals, most of the guitar, and percussion instruments. Cello, Sax, Keys, Drums, and lead guitar were played by Tin Whiskers A.K.A Kirk Heydt.
I do the mixing and the incredibly unmasterful-mastering myself. I am also the sole proprietor and staff member at The Sleepy Tom Marketing Machine. All of this might explain why, after playing music in the triangle area for over thirty years, I am still so obscure even in these small towns. The above-mentioned in addition to of course having a style the taste for which needs to be acquired over time and seems not to have been by many also probably explains why these songs have been heard by so few. So thank you for listening if you did and thanks in advance if you think you ever might!