Ralph Steadman has an international reputation and is the recipient of numerous awards. His illustrated books have been translated into several languages, his art has been exhibited all around the world and he has inspired many other artists.
This special exhibition, put together by the Cartoon Museum, celebrated Steadman’s long and illustrious career as one of the most important graphic artists of the last fifty years.
The exhibition presented the full range of Steadman’s work. On display were many of his early cartoons published by Private Eye and Punch, including his earliest published cartoon from the July 1956 Manchester Evening Chronicle, as well as his later pieces for The New York Times and Observer.
Many of Steadman’s famous ‘gonzo’ works from his collaboration with the writer Hunter S. Thompson were also on display, including his iconic Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas illustrations.
Alongside these were his seminal children’s books illustrations like The Big I am, Animal Farm and Through the Looking-Glass, demonstrating his range. Steadman’s more recent atmospheric wine drawings produced for Oddbins and his sketches of ‘boids’ were also seen.
The exhibition was accompanied by a 160-page catalogue in full colour with contributions by Johnny Depp, Guardian cartoonist Martin Rowson and Will Self.
