‘Ralph Steadman: And Another Thing’ ends national tour in Colorado

Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

FT. COLLINS, Colo. — “Ralph Steadman: And Another Thing” will conclude its U.S. tour at the Gregory Allicar Museum of Art at Colorado State University. The exhibition, on view Aug. 26-Dec. 13, includes a catalog of 149 original artworks spanning 60 years, tracing the 90-year-old’s artistic practice from his early years as a student to his political illustrations, social commentary and activism.

Sketchbooks, magazines, personal photographs and handwritten notes paint a deeply personal picture of Steadman’s works and highlight his ties to Colorado. The state is closely connected to Steadman’s legacy through his collaboration with journalist and author Hunter S. Thompson, who worked and lived in Woody Creek, Colorado. More than 30 years have passed since Steadman’s original works were last shown in Colorado.

“Colorado holds such an important place in Ralph Steadman’s memories of his time with Hunter S. Thompson. It makes Colorado an especially fitting final stop on this monumental tour. Hunter lived just outside of Aspen — where Ralph visited him many times — and he was fiercely proud of the state he made his home,” said Sadie Williams, director of the Ralph Steadman Art Collection.

During the nearly 40 years that Thompson lived on Owl Farm in Woody Creek, Steadman and his wife Anna visited dozens of times. The atmosphere sometimes bred tomfoolery, as Anna Steadman noted in her personal journals:

“Then he [Hunter] remembered the fireworks. He put them in a brown paper bag and, standing by the open back door, lit the bag! Thank God the fireworks has been dampened by whatever had spilled in his bag. He stood, cheating danger, holding the blazing bag — it seemed like ages! Then he threw it onto the lawn where it continued to burn and then suddenly gave a half a dozen loud bangs. Then he dashed inside. ‘If it’s the police don’t answer the door! Put out the lights. Stop the music!’ So we sat for half an hour in the dark while, presumably, the residents of W. Aspen continued to sleep soundly in their comfortable beds.”

Steadman’s The Book of Jones: A Tribute to the Mercurial, Manic, and Utterly Seductive Cat is based on the many moods of Thompson’s cat, Jones. Steadman also worked on other projects while in Colorado, including The Curse of Lono, a collaboration with Thompson about the Hawaii gubernatorial election.

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 personalities of the artists and works. 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. Gonzo journalism remains prominent in today’s online news sources, editorial pieces, social media, videos, political punditry and podcasts.

“As the region’s leading teaching museum, the Gregory Allicar Museum of Art is honored to bring Ralph Steadman’s work to Colorado, a place that holds a special connection to his life and legacy through his friendship and collaborations with Hunter S. Thompson. As the final stop of this landmark U.S. tour, the exhibition offers a last opportunity for audiences in Colorado and beyond to experience these remarkable works firsthand,” said Xinran Yuan, managing director of the Gregory Allicar Museum of Art. “Steadman’s work is instantly recognizable, but its enduring power lies in its ability to challenge, provoke and inspire. We look forward to sparking learning, dialogue and connections through a range of partnerships, educational initiatives and community programs.”

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.??Visitors will also see his illustrated editions of literary classics such as Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland and 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.

“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,” said Williams.

Like Thompson, Steadman has long been an advocate for environmental issues. The exhibition showcases Steadman’s passion for conservation 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 are 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 explained. “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.

Visitors also get a glimpse into the icon’s imaginative process that has fueled his nonstop creative passion and collaborations. Steadman’s perspective about 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 said.

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,” said 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, is also 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.

A curator talk, featuring Sadie Williams, and opening reception will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 26, from 4:30-8 p.m. The event is free and open to all.

About the Artist
Ralph Steadman was born in Wallasey, England in 1936 and is one of his generation’s most prolific and provocative artists. His long collaboration with Hunter S. Thompson redefined journalism with far-reaching and indelible changes in how news is presented. He has illustrated numerous award-winning books, including Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland,” “The Grapes of Ralph” and “Untrodden Grapes” as well as “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” in collaboration with Thompson, which spawned two film adaptations and contributed to Steadman’s cult status. He also authored inventive books such as “I, Leonardo” and “The Big I Am.” He is an active artist today and continues to influence artists from around the globe.

About the Ralph Steadman Art Collection
The Ralph Steadman Art Collection (RSAC) was founded in 2010 to promote the work of iconic British artist Ralph Steadman. RSAC ensures Steadman’s work is exhibited and reproduced to the highest standard, working closely with the artist on exhibitions, collaborative licensing and design projects. RSAC has enjoyed partnerships with Alexander McQueen couture fashion house, urban fashion brands Vans and Supreme and the Royal Shakespeare Company, among others. As one of his generation’s most highly regarded cartoonists and illustrators, Steadman continues to influence artists worldwide. For more information, visit?ralphsteadman.com.

About the Gregory Allicar Museum of Art at Colorado State University
Gregory Allicar Museum of Art invites individuals to engage with art and each other to inspire fresh perspectives and wonder. Always free and open to all, the museum is a catalyst for visual literacy and critical thinking that instills a passion for learning. With a growing and diverse collection of more than 5,000 works of art and dynamic programming, the museum is a cornerstone of Colorado State University’s arts initiatives and a link to alumni, Fort Collins, and the region. The museum is dedicated to educational vitality, embracing all audiences and to honoring a diversity of art-making across time periods, geographies and cultures. For updated museum information, visit artmuseum.colostate.edu.

About Colorado State University
Colorado State University (CSU) is a public research university that serves more than 34,000 students. Founded in 1870 as Colorado’s land-grant institution, CSU ensures that students with the talent and desire for a college degree have access to world-class faculty, research and academic excellence. CSU has leading programs in veterinary medicine, occupational therapy and atmospheric sciences, and excels in areas ranging from infectious disease to clean energy to business. CSU is rooted in the Fort Collins community, has a presence in every county in Colorado and its academic excellence and innovation impact the nation and the world.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Adrian Lilly | Blue Water Communications | 800-975-3212
[email protected]

###