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Ralph Steadman: A Retrospective

October 05, 2019 to January 19, 2020

Organized by the non-profit Ralph Steadman America, in close cooperation with the artist and his family, this touring exhibition offers a retrospective of the visual legacy of one of the most influential British graphic artists of the last fifty years. Famous for his long collaboration with Hunter S. Thompson, most notably illustrating Fear and Loathing in LasVegas, which inspired two films in 1979 and 1998,Steadman has attained a cult status and continues to influence artists from around the globe. Ralph Steadman remains one of the most highly regarded cartoonists and illustrators of his generation. He still contributes regularly to such publications as The New Statesman, The New Yorker, the New York Observer, and The Independent. With Hunter S. Thompson, he changed the face of satire and cartoons in journalism for the generations who now follow in their footsteps.

This exhibition takes the viewer on a journey through Steadman’s prolific career of more than sixty years, from the sketches he created as a student in the 1950s to present-day pictures. The retrospective showcases Steadman’s legendary collaborations with maverick Gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson; his illustrated literary classics such as Alice in Wonderland and Treasure Island; and the inventive books he authored such as I Leonardo and The Big I Am. There are also illustrations from his children’s books, which include No Room to Swing a Cat and That’s My Dad; plus a selection of his paintings, sculpture, and works in other media.

Ralph Steadman: A Retrospective is organized by The Ralph Steadman Collection with support from Flying Dog, United Therapeutics and Audible. At the JSMA, the exhibition is made possible with the generous support of the Coeta and Donald Barker Changing Exhibitions Endowment, Arlene Schnitzer and Jordan Schnitzer, Chris and Christine Smith, the Oregon Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency, and JSMA members.

Additional Material

A Steadman on STEADman

Skype with STEADman

Comics Journalism: Lecture by Katherine Kelp-Stebbins, Ph.D.

The History of Satirical Prints: Lecture by Emily Shinn

Journalism and the First Amendment

Political Cartooning and Free Speech

Freedom of the Press Under Trump