The exhibition offers a visual adventure spanning six decades of the Gonzo artist’s career
Experience bold and witty takes on music, celebrities, classic literature, the environment and politics in “Ralph Steadman: And Another Thing,” which will be on display from Aug. 26-Dec. 13 at the Gregory Allicar Museum of Art at Colorado State University.
This presentation is part of a major U.S. tour of the exhibition and marks its only stop in Colorado, a state closely connected to Steadman’s legacy through his collaboration with journalist and author Hunter S. Thompson, who worked and lived in Woody Creek.
“We are thrilled to partner with the Ralph Steadman Art Collection to bring this exhibition to Colorado,” says Xinran Yuan, managing director of the Gregory Allicar Museum of Art. “Ralph Steadman’s signature approach to art is instantly recognizable and continues to resonate across generations. As the region’s leading teaching museum, this exhibition offers a meaningful opportunity to engage students across disciplines, K-12 learners and communities of all ages across the Front Range and Colorado.”
Spanning more than 60 years of Steadman’s life and work, the exhibition presents a selection of 149 original artworks that showcase his relentless creative spirit. Ephemera, including Steadman’s sketchbooks, children’s books, magazines, personal photographs and handwritten notes, offer an intimate glimpse into the icon’s imaginative process that has fueled his nonstop creative passion and collaborations.
“And Another Thing” traces the 90-year-old’s artistic practice from his early years as a student to his political illustrations, social commentary and activism. Visitors will also see his illustrated editions of literary classics such as Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland,” Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Treasure Island,” Kurt Baumann’s “Dozy & Hawkeye” and the inventive books he authored such as “I, Leonardo,” “The Big I Am,” “The Little Red Computer” and “That’s My Dad.” The exhibition also includes Steadman’s collaborations with maverick journalist and author Hunter S. Thompson.
Steadman’s legendary work with Thompson changed media. In their way of storytelling, dubbed Gonzo journalism by Boston Globe journalist Bill Cardoso, the topic becomes almost secondary to the personality of the artists and work. Gonzo journalism remains prominent in today’s online news sources, editorial pieces, social media, videos, political punditry and podcasts. This new form of journalism debuted in 1970 with the June publication of Steadman and Thompson’s first joint effort, “The Kentucky Derby is Decadent and Depraved,” in Scanlan’s Monthly.
While “And Another Thing” pays tribute to Thompson and Steadman’s future-defining meeting and their famed collaborations on projects such as “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” the exhibition leads viewers on a journey that is much more than a Gonzo exploration.
“We are excited to bring the exhibition to Colorado which holds such an important place in Ralph’s memories of his time with Hunter S. Thompson. Hunter lived just outside of Aspen and was fiercely proud of the state he made his home,” says Sadie Williams, director of the Ralph Steadman Art Collection. “We hope that Coloradans will enjoy the Gonzo-esque pieces but also discover how much more there is to Ralph’s career and legacy. In particular, the works from the Gonzovation Trilogy might be favorites in a state so dedicated to and protective of its landscape.”
Steadman’s perspective on cartooning reveals a deeper purpose beyond his illustrations.
“Cartooning wasn’t just making a little picture and putting a caption underneath. It’s also something else: a vehicle for expression of some sort, protests or it’s actually a way of saying something which you cannot necessarily say in words,” Steadman says.
Steadman has also long been an advocate for environmental issues. The exhibition showcases his passion for preservation through illustrations that appeared in the books “Extinct Boids” (2012), “Nextinction” (2015) and “Critical Critters” (2017), which focus on endangered animals. These works—created with author, conservationist and filmmaker Ceri Levy—gave birth to the Gonzovation Movement. The three books together have come to be known as “The Gonzovation Trilogy.”
The books also demonstrate Steadman’s mantra, which is always to experiment. He used his environmentally conscious method of dirty water to create drawings for “Critical Critters.”
“I throw dirty water—from the water I wash my brushes in—down onto pure white paper and wait three days, at least, for it to dry,” Steadman says. “Probably when the drawing or painting is nearing completion, then I do something spontaneous, and I either succeed or it’s buggered. The surprising results and effects encourage me to use my inventive aptitude, and it challenges me to draw something that simply would not be there before. There is nothing more challenging than a white sheet of paper.”
The beautiful works from “The Gonzovation Trilogy” sit alongside his more experimental collections such as “Paranoids,” caricatures of notable figures from history, entertainment and politics that Steadman created by reworking Polaroid photographs.
The exhibition also spotlights both the artist’s spontaneity and his intense devotion to his craft.
“Steadman is well known for his direct and visceral drawing style and for changing and amplifying the face of satire through his illustrations,” says Andrea Lee Harris, the exhibition co-curator. “His art challenges us, teaches us and alters how we see the world. Showcasing Steadman’s genius, skill and imagination, the exhibition offers viewers a glimpse into the artist’s creative force. He has given us all a great gift and raised the bar for the generations following in his footsteps. Steadman’s inspired exhibition will delight diehard fans and uninitiated audiences eager to learn more.”
“Vintage Dr. Gonzo,” a life-size bronze sculpture by Jud Bergeron, inspired by Steadman’s drawings of Thompson, will also be touring with the exhibition.
“Ralph Steadman: And Another Thing” is accompanied by a full-color, 207-page publication of the same name, edited by Holly Craven and cover design by Rikard Österlund. Special hardcover and softcover editions are available.
“Ralph Steadman: And Another Thing” is organized by the Ralph Steadman Art Collection. The exhibition is co-curated by Sadie Williams, director of the Ralph Steadman Art Collection, and Andrea Lee Harris, curatorial and exhibitions coordinator of the Ralph Steadman Art Collection. This exhibition is sponsored, in part, by United Therapeutics and Flying Dog.
The opening reception and curator talk will take place from 4:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26. The event is free and open to all.
