By: Ralph Steadman Publisher: Harcourt Average Rating: Binding: Hardcover Label: Harcourt Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 208 Publication Date: October 15, 1998
A three-decade retrospective of Ralph Steadman’s caustic, witty, outrageous art-including illustrations from Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and the other legendary collaborations with Hunter S. Thompson that spawned gonzo journalism. Illustrated throughout in color and black-and-white, with an introduction by Hunter S. Thompson.
Amazon.com: Hunter S. Thompson, in his drunken, rambling introduction to this volume of paintings and illustrations, calls Ralph Steadman "the Albert Gore of twentieth century art." It's hard to imagine a less apt appellation: Steadman's drawings and paintings are the wild antithesis of the notoriously stiff V.P. His pop art is also the opposite of Warhol's clean lines and soulless imagery; it screams with pain and nightmare power. While Steadman is best known for his illustrations to Thompson's Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and other works, here his art is given free rein, and works with titles like "Earliest man, full of the sense of his own worth, screaming into the blackness, needing no god but himself..." and "Good time crucifix" combine Steadman's trademark splattered ink and unfolded figures with collage and sloppy airbrush. Although the text may offend those with no sense of irony (Thompson compares Steadman to artist manqué Adolf Hitler; Steadman relates the story of his first bowel movement), the hyperactive visuals are sure to delight even those who've never snorted ether while tripping on pure human adrenochrome. --James DiGiovanna
Steadman is great any book by Ralph Steadman requires serious and not so serious reading. his perspective on life is truly unique and worthy of consideration.
Steadman and the good doctor... I'm very pleased with my purchase...It arrived promptly, well packaged, and in stellar condition. A flawless venture.
One of His Best! I love his work, have since he did the cover art and animation for Pink Floyd The Wall. This book is worth grabbing if you respect the artistic value of total insanity and the furthering of freedom of expression.
Gonzo forever! May the ghost of Hunter S. Thompson come down and become the next President of the United States - and may Ralph Steadman be his Art Director!
Plastered from the master.
Having had, as many people did, my first taste of Ralph via Hunter S Thompson's books, I found this to be a great introduction to the Hyperactive and frantic style of a dude who is probably my favourite artist. This has a forward by Hunter, gives great colour examples of his works in the realm of Gonzo, and also has many written, poetical works, and songs. My fave piece is 'Stand up and be counted.' IE: The maverick beast will ALWAYS raise his head in the crowd. A perfect definition of Gonzo.
Anything Goes Trivia
Trevor
Megaton Man
